Incident Overview
The pilot of C-FFHF, a float-equipped de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, departed the company camp at Ugly Lake, Labrador, en route to Goose Bay. Prior to arriving at Goose Bay, the pilot contacted an overflying Air Labrador flight and advised them that he had landed on a pond and that he needed the search and rescue (SAR) time extended on his flight plan. The pilot also stated that he would be departing the pond shortly to continue to Goose Bay.
When C-FFHF did not arrive at the destination by the SAR time of 2030 Atlantic daylight saving time (ADT), a search was commenced.
Search and Recovery
Seven days after the aircraft's failure to arrive, an oil slick and a paddle bearing the company name were identified on a pond approximately 66 nautical miles north of Goose Bay. Divers subsequently located the aircraft wreckage in 120 feet of water. The aircraft was destroyed, and the bodies of the pilot and passenger were located inside the wreckage.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that it is probable that the pilot was unable to maintain visual reference with the surface sometime after take-off from the pond. The aircraft struck the water either during the pilot's attempt to regain visual reference or because the pilot lost control of the aircraft in reduced visibility.