What happened
On the morning of the accident, a DHC-3 Otter equipped with skis and wheels was operating a return leg of a charter mission. The aircraft had departed Snegamook Lake at 09:15, tasked with transporting a hunting group of four people along with their equipment and harvested ptarmigan.
Shortly after departing the lake, the pilot experienced engine roughness. While reducing power to cruise settings provided some relief, the mechanical issues persisted. As the aircraft approached Nipishish Lake, the pilot notified dispatch that the engine was again struggling, though altitude could still be maintained. To prepare for a potential emergency, the pilot planned to follow the Crooked River toward Goose Bay.
Three minutes after the initial report, the pilot of C-FAGM contacted dispatch again to announce an intention to perform a landing on a wide section of the Crooked River. During this communication, the pilot noted the presence of smoke inside the cabin. During the approach, the aircraft was in a left-bank, nose-down attitude with flaps extended and skis retracted when it impacted the frozen river surface. The impact caused the aircraft to bounce before settling upright.
Findings
An investigation into the accident revealed that a fatigue crack had developed in the number nine cylinder head, which led to the loss of engine power and the rough running conditions. During the attempt to execute a precautionary landing amidst whiteout conditions, the aircraft struck the river. The impact caused the fuel cells to rupture, resulting in a fire that completely destroyed the airframe.