What happened
A scheduled flight operated by J. Ray McDermott Construction Company ended in a fatal accident during an approach to a river near Warri Airstrip. The amphibious float-equipped aircraft was performing a routine short-duration mission, traveling from Warri toward various inland construction sites.
During the three-minute flight, the aircraft's landing gear remained in the extended position. Upon attempting to land on the water, the aircraft flipped over and settled in an inverted position. While the crew and passengers initially attempted to exit the wreckage, the impact caused two large containers of Red Lead oxide to rupture. The release of this material likely obstructed escape efforts by potentially causing suffocation or blinding the occupants. All three fatalities are believed to have occurred as a result of the crash and the subsequent environmental conditions within the cabin.
Findings
The investigation determined that the primary factor in the accident was that the pilot failed to retract the landing gear following departure from Warri Airstrip.