Incident Overview
A de Havilland Otter and a Cessna 180 (registered C-FHWR), both equipped with floats, were operating from Schefferville in support of the annual caribou hunt. The two aircraft were on converging courses toward the same seaplane base at Squaw Lake.
Sequence of Events
The Cessna overtook and passed the Otter on the right, then crossed in front to establish a right-hand circuit to the lake. The Cessna pilot transmitted his landing intentions, which the Otter pilot interpreted as a bay in front of the company's base. As the Cessna proceeded out of view to the left, the Otter pilot focused on his own approach to the lake.
The Cessna, however, had turned to the right and was also making an approach to the same landing area. The two aircraft were again on converging courses. Approximately four to five seconds after the Cessna had landed, the left float of the Otter struck the Cessna's right wing and cowling.
Aftermath
The Otter continued another 200 feet before touching down. It overturned and sank because its left float and strut collapsed. Five of the eight people aboard the Otter perished in the crash. The Cessna sustained damage to its right wing and cowling but remained afloat with no injuries to its pilot or passengers.
Pilot Observations
While on final approach, the Cessna pilot saw the Otter to the right and slightly behind him and assumed it was on a parallel approach. The Otter pilot did not see the Cessna at any time during the approach.