What happened
During a ferry flight intended to deliver an aircraft to Glacier Bay Airways, a significant mechanical failure occurred. The flight was traveling from Port Hardy toward Prince Rupert as part of a larger journey originating in Phoenix and destined for Gustavly, Alaska.
While the aircraft type was maintaining a cruising altitude of 4,000 feet, the engine experienced an explosion. This event resulted in oil being sprayed across the windscreen, severely obstructing the crew's visibility. Due to the loss of engine integrity and the compromised view from the cockpit, the crew performed an emergency ditching in the waters of the Grenville Channel.
All occupants were successfully rescued shortly after the impact. However, the aircraft was not recovered following the incident as it sank into the channel.
Findings
- The primary factor leading to the ditching was an engine explosion.
- The mechanical failure caused oil to coat the windscreen, impacting flight visibility.