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Aircraft stall and crash near Lake Helen (C-FIOD)

Lake Helen, CanadaTakeoff (climb)

On July 14, 1985, a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter (registration C-FIOD) operated by PropAir was involved in an aviation accident near Lake Helen, Canada during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot induced an aerodynamic stall by reducing airspeed during flap retraction following takeoff. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 6 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-06-13Data APIEditorial standards

A small aircraft crashed into a forested area following a stall during the initial climb phase after departing from Lake Helen.

What happened

Following departure from Lake Helen, the aircraft entered a flight phase where the pilot retracted the flaps and decreased airspeed. During this maneuver, the plane experienced an aerodynamic stall, leading to a crash into a densely wooded region. The impact was followed by a post-crash fire that resulted in the total destruction of the airframe.

Findings

  • The incident involved a loss of lift due to a stall occurring immediately after takeoff.
  • There were two occupants on board the aircraft during the flight.
  • Both individuals managed to exit the wreckage and sustained only minor injuries.
  • The primary factor in the accident was the reduction of airspeed while retracting flaps, which led to the loss of flight stability.

Probable cause

The pilot induced an aerodynamic stall by reducing airspeed during flap retraction following takeoff.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 14 Jul 1985 De Havilland DHC-3 Otter accident near Lake Helen, Canada?

A small aircraft crashed into a forested area following a stall during the initial climb phase after departing from Lake Helen.

Were there any fatalities in the 14 Jul 1985 De Havilland DHC-3 Otter accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 14 Jul 1985 involved a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter, registration C-FIOD, operated by PropAir, at Lake Helen, Canada.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot induced an aerodynamic stall by reducing airspeed during flap retraction following takeoff.

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