What happened
On the morning of the accident, a float-equipped aircraft operated by Canadian Fly-in Fishing was preparing for a visual flight rules departure from the Chukuni River, located roughly 2.2 nautical miles southeast of the Red Lake (Howey Bay) Water Aerodeome. The flight was intended to proceed to Thicketwood Lake. The aircraft was carrying the pilot, 4 passengers, and various cargo.
At approximately 0653LT, the aircraft began its takeoff roll with the flaps set to the takeoff position. The pilot noted a southerly wind. The aircraft successfully lifted off approximately 2,500 feet down the waterway. As the aircraft reached an airspeed of 80 mph and established a climb at roughly 100 feet above the water, the pilot adjusted the engine power to 30 inches of manifold pressure at 2,000 rpm and retracted the flaps to the climb position.
Following these adjustments, the aircraft began to lose airspeed, dropping to 60 mph. In an effort to recover, the pilot applied full power and pushed the control wheel forward. Despite these actions, the airspeed failed to recover. The pilot attempted a right turn into the wind, but at an altitude of about 80 feet, the aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall with a right roll. At 0655LT, the aircraft struck the shoreline in a nose-down, banked attitude.
While there was no fire following the impact, the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The occupants were partially submerged in the water after the crash. The pilot and one passenger managed to exit through the right-side door, while local residents assisted the remaining three passengers from the wreckage. Among the occupants, there were 1 fatality and 2 serious injuries, with the deceased passenger later passing away at a hospital in Thunder Bay. The pilot and two other passengers were treated at a local medical facility and released.
Findings
- The aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall following a reduction in engine power and a change in flap configuration.