What happened
On the morning of the accident, a G-21A amphibian aircraft, registered as C-GPCD, departed from Port Hardy Airport in British Columbia. The aircraft was operating a charter flight under visual flight rules, with a planned destination of Chamiss Bay.
During the flight, communication difficulties arose when a flight follower attempted to reach a tugboat stationed at the destination via radio at 0849 and 0908, but received no response. Due to the lack of contact, the flight follower notified the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria at 0953, stating the aircraft was overdue. This triggered an aerial search operation.
Search teams eventually discovered the wreckage on a hillside in the vicinity of Alice Lake, located roughly 14 nautical miles from the departure airport. The impact occurred at approximately 0722, and a fire broke out following the crash. The aircraft's emergency locator transmitter failed to activate because it was destroyed during the impact.
Of the seven people on board, the accident resulted in five fatalities, including the pilot and four passengers. Two passengers survived the crash, sustaining serious and minor injuries respectively. The survivors were rescued from the site at approximately 1610.
Findings
- The emergency locator transmitter was rendered inoperable by the impact, preventing an automated distress signal.
- A post-crash fire occurred at the wreckage site.