What happened
During a late afternoon flight departing from Red Lake, the pilot proceeded to McDowell Lake, Ontario, without incident. The subsequent return leg of the journey transitioned into the evening hours. While performing the final approach for landing, observers noted the aircraft's navigation lights and heard a decrease in engine power. This was followed by an irregular noise and a sudden surge in engine output, after which the engine power ceased entirely.
The aircraft subsequently struck water and rocks in a semi-inverted, nose-down orientation. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and the death of the pilot.
Findings
Investigations determined that the flight was being conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) during daylight hours. However, as the operation continued into the night, the pilot attempted to land without the benefit of proper landing facilities or adequate lighting. The primary factor in the accident was the attempted night landing under VFR conditions without appropriate infrastructure, which led to the aircraft striking tall trees before hitting the ground.