On December 13, 1968, a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter (registration CF-RNO) operated by Harbour Air was involved in an aviation accident near Shaft Lake, Canada during takeoff. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Poor flight preparation by the pilot, who failed to clean the aircraft prior to takeoff. Departure was made with contaminated wings with ice and frost. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A ski-equipped aircraft stalled and crashed on a snow-covered mountain slope after takeoff from Shaft Lake. The pilot was killed and the passenger seriously injured. Investigation found poor flight preparation with ice and frost on wings.
Accident Overview
A ski-equipped aircraft that had been left outside overnight departed from Shaft Lake the following morning with a pilot and a passenger. After takeoff, the airplane struggled to gain sufficient altitude to clear the surrounding mountains. The pilot initiated a turn, during which control was lost. The aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall and impacted the snow-covered slope of the mountain. The passenger sustained serious injuries, while the pilot was killed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was poor flight preparation by the pilot, who failed to clean the aircraft before takeoff. The departure was made with ice and frost contamination on the wings.
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