What happened
On September 18, 1982, a de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter, registration C-FDJA, crashed shortly after departing for Smithers. The aircraft had been chartered to transport three passengers and equipment to a remote lodge. During the return leg of the flight, the passengers chose to bring a large quantity of empty glass beer bottles back with them. These containers occupied the majority of the cabin space, leaving only the first row of seats and the cockpit available for the occupants.
Immediately following liftoff, the aircraft entered an unrecoverable steep nose-high attitude. The pilot was unable to stabilize the plane, leading to an aerodynamic stall and a subsequent impact with the ground. A massive fire fueled by the aircraft's fuel supply ignited upon impact, destroying the airframe. While the pilot was ejected from the wreckage, the three passengers perished in the resulting fire.
Findings
Investigations revealed that the aircraft was carrying approximately 4,773 empty bottles. This cargo significantly altered the plane's weight and balance. The total gross weight of the de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter exceeded its maximum allowable limit by 637 pounds. Furthermore, the center of gravity was positioned 11.5 inches behind the rear limit.
According to manufacturer specifications, an aircraft of this type loses elevator control authority when the center of gravity is just four inches aft of the rear limit. The discrepancy was exacerbated by a significant error in weight estimation; the pilot had assumed twelve bottles weighed between 3 and 4 pounds, whereas the actual weight was 7 pounds. This improper weight and balance calculation rendered the aircraft uncontrollable during the initial climb.