What happened
On a flight departing from the Vancouver International Airport water aerodrome, a Grumman G-21A operated by Pacific Coastal Airlines was en route to Powell River, British Columbia. The aircraft, registered as C-FPCK, was carrying a total of eight people, including one pilot and seven passengers.
Roughly 19 minutes after takeoff, the amphibious aircraft struck terrain on South Thormanby Island, situated approximately midway through the flight path. The impact occurred near a peak close to Spyglass Hill. The crash resulted in the destruction of the aircraft due to the force of the impact and a subsequent fire. While one passenger was discovered with serious injuries on the island's eastern shore later that afternoon, the pilot and the remaining six passengers were killed in the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in dense fog at the time of the accident.
- The emergency locator transmitter failed to send a signal because it was destroyed during the crash.