5 fatalities

Single-Engine Aircraft Crashes After Stall on Hunting Flight Near Smithers (C-FDJA)

Two Bridge Lake, CanadaFlight

On September 18, 1982, a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter (registration C-FDJA) operated by Central Mountain Air Services was involved in an aviation accident near Two Bridge Lake, Canada in flight. 5 people were killed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered C-FDJA
Aircraft registered C-FDJA. Photo: Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A single-engine airplane stalled during a steep turn and crashed into wooded terrain near Smithers, British Columbia, killing all five occupants. The aircraft was on a taxi flight from Tyee Lake to a hunting camp.

Incident Overview

A single-engine airplane departed Tyee Lake near Smithers, British Columbia, for a taxi flight to a hunting camp at Tatlatui Lake. The aircraft was carrying four passengers and a pilot, totaling five occupants. Approximately ten minutes after takeoff, the airplane entered a valley.

Accident Sequence

While in the valley, the pilot sighted obstacles and decided to leave the area. The pilot executed a steep turn, during which the aircraft stalled. The stall led to a loss of control, and the airplane crashed into dense wooded terrain. The impact ignited a fire, and the wreckage was consumed by flames. The crash site was located about 25 kilometers northeast of Smithers, off the planned track.

Fatalities

All five occupants—four passengers and the pilot—were killed in the accident.

Probable Cause

The investigation did not specify a probable cause for the accident.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 18 Sept 1982 De Havilland DHC-3 Otter accident near Two Bridge Lake, Canada?

A single-engine airplane stalled during a steep turn and crashed into wooded terrain near Smithers, British Columbia, killing all five occupants. The aircraft was on a taxi flight from Tyee Lake to a hunting camp.

Were there any fatalities in the 18 Sept 1982 De Havilland DHC-3 Otter accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 5 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 18 Sept 1982 involved a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter, registration C-FDJA, operated by Central Mountain Air Services, at Two Bridge Lake, Canada.