What happened
On a recent evening near Hornepayne, Ontario, a single-pilot aircraft was engaged in aerial firefighting efforts near Lake Wicksteed. The mission involved scooping water from the lake to support a nearby fire. During the third collection attempt of the operation, the pilot approached the lake from the east under light wind conditions. After completing necessary inbound checks, the pilot lowered the water probes to fill the float tanks and landed on the water's surface.
As the tanks reached capacity, the pilot noted water discharging from the overflow vents on top of the floats. Upon pressing the button to retract the probes, the aircraft suddenly nosed into the lake while maintaining a wings-level attitude. The aircraft began to sink immediately following the maneuver. The pilot was able to exit the cockpit and cling to the side of the partially submerged plane. A nearby witness used a motorized boat to reach the pilot, while another person alerted emergency responders in Hornepayne. The pilot was eventually moved to a nearby residence to await medical personnel. The aircraft ultimately settled on the lakebed in an inverted position, with the floats remaining visible above the water.
Findings
- The accident occurred during the water collection phase of flight.
- The nose-over occurred immediately following the retraction of the water probes.