What happened
During a scheduled flight service operating under visual flight rules (VFR), an aircraft departed from the Kluatantan airstrip carrying both passengers and cargo. The route was intended to connect Prince George and Dease Lake through several intermediate stops. Shortly after departure, the flight encountered deteriorating weather conditions.
Approximately 23 miles north of the takeoff location, the aircraft type struck a ridge at an elevation of 5,200 feet. The impact and subsequent fire caused the total destruction of the plane. There were seven fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several contributing elements to the crash:
- The pilot proceeded through a narrow valley despite weather conditions worsening below the altitude necessary for safe clearance of the terrain.
- Reduced visibility was exacerbated by a windshield wiper system that was not functioning effectively.
- After losing visual contact with the ground, the pilot attempted to climb into the cloud layer to find safety but failed to maintain a maximum rate of climb required to clear the mountains.
- The crew lacked access to updated or accurate weather forecasts for the specific accident area prior to departing Prince George, a situation made difficult by a lack of available reporting points.