What happened
On a morning in the Northwest Territories, a float-equipped de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver departed from a fishing lodge situated at Taltheilei Narrows on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake. The flight was intended to transport five passengers from a nearby sheltered bay to Yellowknife, an 80 NM journey. After picking up the passengers from a group of boats located approximately 10 NM southwest of the lodge, the aircraft began its departure.
During the takeoff sequence, a second aircraft carrying baggage for the passengers was flying overhead. The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver was observed taxiing back toward the bay entrance before lifting off and heading northeast. Shortly after reaching an altitude between 100 and 200 feet, the aircraft entered a left turn and began to descend rapidly. The plane struck shallow water near the shoreline in a steep, nose-down position with the left wing low.
The impact caused both wings to detach from the fuselage, followed immediately by the appearance of black smoke and flames. While fishing guides from nearby boats rushed to the site, the fire had already spread significantly across the portion of the fuselage above the waterline. The accident resulted in six fatalities, including the pilot and all five passengers.
Findings
Investigations into the crash determined that the aircraft experienced a stall during an attempt to perform a downwind turn. This loss of control occurred while the aircraft was operating within severe wind shear conditions.