What happened
On May 9, 1996, a DHC-3 Otter equipped with floats began a ferry flight from Ketchikan, Alaska, at 0905 PDT. The flight, operated with a pilot and co-pilot on board, was intended to proceed to Dawson Creek, British Columbia, as part of a larger route toward Buffalo Narrows, Saskatchewan. Following a scheduled stop in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, for refueling and weather updates, the aircraft proceeded eastbound following the established Telkwa Pass VFR route.
After the aircraft failed to reach its destination in Dawson Creek, it was officially reported overdue. Search and rescue operations were initiated the following day. At 1930 PDT on May 30, 1996, search aircraft discovered the wreckage approximately 30 miles east of Terrace, located within the Telkwa Pass. The impact with mountainous terrain caused the total destruction of the aircraft. There were two fatalities among the crew members.