3 fatalities

1981-09-02: De Havilland DHC-3 Otter (9417) — Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF — Lac des Chats, Canada

Lac des Chats, CanadaFlight

On September 2, 1981, a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter (registration 9417) operated by Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF was involved in an aviation accident near Lac des Chats, Canada in flight. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot-in-command failed to maintain sufficient airspeed while manoeuvring at low level, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781222249Data APIEditorial standards

A training flight from Montreal-Saint-Hubert Airport stalled at low altitude and crashed in a wooded area near Lac des Chats, killing all three occupants. The investigation attributed the accident to the pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed.

Accident Details

The flight was a training mission that originated from Montreal-Saint-Hubert Airport. During the cruise phase at low altitude, the aircraft stalled and lost control. It subsequently crashed into a wooded area, and upon impact, the aircraft burst into flames. The wreckage was discovered near Lac des Chats. All three occupants on board were killed in the accident. No further information regarding the aircraft type, registration, or operator was provided.

Investigation and Probable Cause

Investigators determined that the pilot-in-command failed to maintain sufficient airspeed while manoeuvring at low level. This mistake led to an aerodynamic stall. The official probable cause of the accident is the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during low-altitude manoeuvres, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.