Incident Overview
A single-engine airplane on an ambulance flight encountered deteriorating weather conditions en route. The pilot faced low ceiling and fog and decided to descend, attempting to land off Port Hardy. During taxiing in rough water, the nose compartments of the floats filled with water, causing the aircraft to nosed over inverted.
Casualties
The patient, strapped to a stretcher, drowned before being released. The pilot survived.
Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft was a single-engine airplane equipped with floats. It was engaged in an ambulance flight carrying one pilot and one patient on a stretcher.
Weather and Decision
The pilot encountered low ceiling and fog, prompting a decision to reduce altitude and attempt a landing off Port Hardy.