What happened
During a recent flight departing from Hay River Airport, a single-engine aircraft experienced a loss of control immediately following takeoff. The aircraft entered a stall and subsequently crashed at the site. Despite the impact, all four occupants on board escaped the accident without any injuries. While the crew and passengers were unharmed, the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.
Findings
Investigations into the incident concluded that the primary reason for the crash was an excessive accumulation of ice on the fuselage and wings. It appears that the aircraft had not undergone any deicing procedures before its departure from the airport, leading to the aerodynamic stall during the initial climb phase.