Flight Details
The pilot departed the Air Saguenay base at Squaw Lake, Schefferville in northern Quebec around 07:00 local time. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) to Desbergères Lake, approximately 210 miles to the northwest. The float-equipped Otter, registration C-FBSF, carried six passengers and equipment for a caribou hunting expedition.
Accident Sequence
Weather conditions deteriorated 30 minutes into the flight. The pilot entered a narrow valley some 50 miles northwest of Schefferville and realized he could not clear the mountain peaks due to a lower ceiling in that area. Attempting a left turn, the aircraft flew into a fog bank. Upon emerging from the fog, the pilot saw that the aircraft was going to strike the mountain. He raised the nose to minimize the force of impact and tried to set the Otter down on the mountainside.
The floats slid approximately 150 feet along the rocky surface before breaking off. The engine struck the ground and was torn off, then rolled under the aircraft and came to rest on the right side of the fuselage. The Otter came to rest on the mountainside at an altitude of 2,650 feet. All passengers had been seated on the right side of the aircraft, while baggage and equipment were stowed on the left.
Evacuation and Fire
The pilot and passengers were able to evacuate the Otter without injury. As they did so, the aircraft caught fire and burned for 45 minutes, consuming the fuselage. The wings fell to the ground after the wing supports melted. The fire died out after all flammable material was consumed.
Rescue
When radio contact with the Otter was lost, search aircraft were launched and located the crash site. The occupants were spotted at 11:30 local time, and a rescue helicopter arrived at the site at 14:00. All were rescued. The Otter was completely destroyed.