Floatplane Crash Thread

[Dry Guy]

.

[floatman]

You are mistaken. Not that Avcanada is not full of mistaken people.

Seems like he or she might not have been mistaken

https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/433744

A float-equipped DHC-3T Turbine Otter operated by NDK Air Limited departed the Armstrong Water Aerodrome (CJF6), ON, on a VFR flight to Kashishibog Lake, ON. While on final approach to Kashishibog Lake, the aircraft struck a tree and subsequently landed hard onto the water. The pilot and passengers successfully egressed the aircraft. Two of the passengers received minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged and became submerged.

[floatman]

I can't believe insurance companies even insure amphibs anymore.

It's retractable gear, if you can't get your head around putting the gear up or down in an aircraft before landing, you probably should try another vocation.

[CpnCrunch]

I can't believe insurance companies even insure amphibs anymore.

It's retractable gear, if you can't get your head around putting the gear up or down in an aircraft before landing, you probably should try another vocation.

I think a large dose of humility is good for pilots. I've seen a lot of amphib accidents like this involving very experienced pilots. None of the accidents are about "get your head around putting the gear up or down".

[itsgrosswhatinet]

I don't understand how amphibian aircraft even get insurance.

The really expensive ones have probably been self insured by the taxpayers. The OMNR Twin Otter, the RCMP Turbo Beaver, maybe this Telus one was also self insurance.

[CpnCrunch]

The really expensive ones have probably been self insured by the taxpayers. The OMNR Twin Otter, the RCMP Turbo Beaver, maybe this Telus one was also self insurance.

Any idea what kind of gear safety mechanisms were in these aircraft? It seems like these days it should be pretty easy to have a fail safe warning gear mechanism, and there are indeed many on the market. Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I can glean from some of the accidents I've read about, they all seem to have had pretty basic warning systems.

[pelmet]

The really expensive ones have probably been self insured by the taxpayers. The OMNR Twin Otter, the RCMP Turbo Beaver, maybe this Telus one was also self insurance.

Any idea what kind of gear safety mechanisms were in these aircraft? It seems like these days it should be pretty easy to have a fail safe warning gear mechanism, and there are indeed many on the market. Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I can glean from some of the accidents I've read about, they all seem to have had pretty basic warning systems.

Solution has already been given...

viewtopic.php?p=1342705#p1342705

[floatman]

I can't believe insurance companies even insure amphibs anymore.

None of the accidents are about "get your head around putting the gear up or down".

So tell us what they're 'about'.

[mmm...bacon]

The really expensive ones have probably been self insured by the taxpayers. The OMNR Twin Otter, the RCMP Turbo Beaver, maybe this Telus one was also self insurance.

Any idea what kind of gear safety mechanisms were in these aircraft? It seems like these days it should be pretty easy to have a fail safe warning gear mechanism, and there are indeed many on the market. Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I can glean from some of the accidents I've read about, they all seem to have had pretty basic warning systems.

Back in the early noughts, the turbine Otter I flew on Wip amphibs had a simple ‘bitching Betty’ attached to the gear handle. I forget what the actual parameters for the warning were, but at the appropriate time, it would sound off “Gear is UP for water landing” or “Gear is DOWN for landing”. Didn’t stop me from doing something out of sequence once, and nearly turning myself into a statistic, though..

[floatman]

The really expensive ones have probably been self insured by the taxpayers. The OMNR Twin Otter, the RCMP Turbo Beaver, maybe this Telus one was also self insurance.

Any idea what kind of gear safety mechanisms were in these aircraft? It seems like these days it should be pretty easy to have a fail safe warning gear mechanism, and there are indeed many on the market. Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I can glean from some of the accidents I've read about, they all seem to have had pretty basic warning systems.

Solution has already been given...

viewtopic.php?p=1342705#p1342705

That may be your 'solution' but I've never met a working amphib pilot who uses a checklist. Period. It's a flow pattern. You should be touching and thinking repeatedly. Do that and you'll be fine. Single pilot, head inside monkeying with a checklist (usually with no A/P) will get you into more trouble than learning and engraining a solid flow.

[CpnCrunch]

None of the accidents are about "get your head around putting the gear up or down".

So tell us what they're 'about'.

Usually something like distractions combined with being in a hurry, resulting in forgetting to do the checklist. In one case (Terry McEvoy's accident), he saw 3 green and thought that was ok (which, it usually is).

[pelmet]

Any idea what kind of gear safety mechanisms were in these aircraft? It seems like these days it should be pretty easy to have a fail safe warning gear mechanism, and there are indeed many on the market. Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I can glean from some of the accidents I've read about, they all seem to have had pretty basic warning systems.

Solution has already been given...

http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopi ... 5#p1342705

That may be your 'solution' but I've never met a working amphib pilot who uses a checklist. Period. It's a flow pattern. You should be touching and thinking repeatedly. Do that and you'll be fine. Single pilot, head inside monkeying with a checklist (usually with no A/P) will get you into more trouble than learning and engraining a solid flow.

Hasn't worked out very well for a lot of them. I suspect that the Telus pilot was a working pilot. That being said, lots of amphib pilots are not working and should heed my advice. They could be the first ones to always use that checklist whenever flying an amphib.

I also suspect that you are refusing to use a checklist during your amphib flights. I realize that there could be high frequency ops in the real working world(where someone might decide to not touch the gear handle and do a flow) but you stated "Single pilot, head inside monkeying with a checklist (usually with no A/P) will get you into more trouble than learning and engraining a solid flow.". There are all kinds of single pilot light aircraft pilots with no autopilot, safely using a checklist appropriately.

And remember, engraining a solid flow may be particularly risky for an aircraft where one sometimes lands gear up and sometimes lands gear down.

[pelmet]

Bamiji Air Beaver C-FHEP had an accident near Chamberlain Narrows on July 14th, 2025. Floats were torn off and it is sunk in the lake.

Everyone on board survived, although judging by the one picture I saw, are probably quite lucky to do so.

Flying so low enroute, they accidentally hit the water. Bad weather? Glassy water and flying too low? Any word Ivan? It's a class 5, so we will never find out if no one let's us know.

"C-FHEP, a DeHavilland DHC-2 float equipped aircraft operated by Bamaji Air Inc. was conducting
a VFR flight from Slate Falls, ON, to Sioux Lookout/Pelican Lake Water Aerodrome (CKA6), ON,
with the pilot and one passenger. While flying enroute at a low level, at approximately 22 nm North
of CKA6, the aircraft contacted the water surface of Lac Seul, in the vicinity of Chamberlain
Narrows, and nosed over and broke apart. The pilot and passenger, both having minor injuries,
exited the aircraft and inflated their personal flotation devices. They were picked up by another
Bamaji Air aircraft that was also in the area and were transported to CKA6 for medical aid. C-FHEP
has sunk."

....from TSB.

[pelmet]

From TSB via Google translate....

C-GVNO, a privately operated Cessna 172M on floats, was on a visual flight rules flight from the St-Mathias seaplane base, QC (CSV9), to Baie des Quenouilles, Lac Taureau, QC, with only the pilot on board. As the aircraft approached the water, it initiated a low-altitude left turn. As it exited ground effect while turning with a tailwind, it experienced an aerodynamic stall and struck the water. The left wing ended up in the water, and the engine was collapsed. The aircraft remained upright on its floats but sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not suffer any injuries.

[waterpilot]

Just signed up because of two comments, to the person that can't believe insurance company's still insure amphib airplane, I can't believe they still insure electric cars! And the other person that mention Terry McEvoy and his accident show a little compassion he didn't set out that day to have his brother killed I'm sure he would like to forget it happened.

[pelmet]

I didn't pick up on the Terry McEvoy comment and decided to look into it(have never heard of him but maybe a relative of Charles McEvoy).

It appears that he wrote a book, which I might just order.

https://aviatorsbookshelf.ca/products/n ... rry-mcevoy

There is an interview here.

https://kevinunscripted.com/episode-76- ... and-pilot/

A list of Canadian pilot authors is here. Probably a good time to support them with a purchase of one book.

https://coastdogpress.com/authors/

[CpnCrunch]

Just signed up because of two comments, to the person that can't believe insurance company's still insure amphib airplane, I can't believe they still insure electric cars! And the other person that mention Terry McEvoy and his accident show a little compassion he didn't set out that day to have his brother killed I'm sure he would like to forget it happened.

Terry wrote about the whole incident in his book, which I recently read. I strongly recommend reading it, as it's an excellent read. He details at least two floatplane accidents that he was involved with. He is/was a member of this forum, but I'm not going to point out his username in case he doesn't want it linked to his name.

If you read my comment again you'll see I never said or implied that he "set out to have his brother killed". What a weird and disrespectful comment to everyone involved. Terry's accident involved a failed gear motor, combined with human error (thinking the 3 greens were ok).

I'm not sure I get your comment about electric cars. They aren't any more difficult to insure than other types of cars.

[The Brantford Boomer]

WELL SAID WATERPOLO

[piperdriver]

Bamiji Air Beaver C-FHEP had an accident near Chamberlain Narrows on July 14th, 2025. Floats were torn off and it is sunk in the lake.

Everyone on board survived, although judging by the one picture I saw, are probably quite lucky to do so.

Flying so low enroute, they accidentally hit the water. Bad weather? Glassy water and flying too low? Any word Ivan? It's a class 5, so we will never find out if no one let's us know.

Bad weather? No.

Glassy water and flying too low? Yes.

Very poor decision making? Yes.

3rd accident by Bamiji Air? Yes.

I hope this helps to clear things up. This wasn’t an accident just pure negligence.

[ruddersup?]

Crazy but it happened. I know someone who landed his amphib Beaver on water with the wheels down and he just taxied to the dock for fuel. Not sure how he was able to take off, lol.
True story.

[pelmet]

From TSB...

C-FFVZ a De Havilland DHC-3 aircraft operated by Kississing Lake Lodge Ltd. (dba Wings Over Kississing), was conducting a VFR flight from Wollaston Lake Airport (CZWL), SK, to La Ronge Water Aerodrome (CJZ9), SK. Upon landing at CJZ9, while taxiing into the docking area, the pilot misjudged the position of a parked DHC-2 aircraft (C-FIFJ) and collided with it. The propeller of CFFVZ, which was feathered but still turning, made contact with the trailing edge of the parked aircraft's right aileron. The parked aircraft (C-FIFJ) sustained damage to its right aileron. C-FFVZ sustained minor damage to its propeller. There were no injuries reported.

[pelmet]

From TSB...

C-GYPC, a private Piper PA-11 floatplane, suffered a hard landing on East Lake, ON,
approximately 5 NM southwest of Picton Airport (CNT7), ON. During the approach, it was reported
that the aircraft lost lift at approximately 10 feet above the surface, resulting in a hard landing.
Following touchdown, the aircraft listed to the right as the right wing dropped and made contact
with the water. The aircraft came to rest with the right wing partially submerged and resting on the
lake bottom. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. EMS and fire services responded to the
scene.

[pelmet]

Tough situation. Any suggestions for engine failure landing on glassy water?

C-FJAC, a float-powered DeHavilland DHC-2 MK.I (Beaver) operated by Air Tunilik Inc., was on a day visual flight rules flight from Lac du Poisson Blanc (N51 13.8, W077 29.3), QC, to Lac Evans, QC, with the pilot and four passengers on board. After takeoff, following a power reduction, the engine (Pratt & Whitney-USA R985-AN-14B) lost power, and the pilot attempted to land in the remaining portion of the lake. The water surface was glassy because there was no wind, and as the pilot attempted to land, the right wing stalled, and the aircraft struck the water in a right-hand nose-down attitude. All occupants managed to escape and swam to the east shore of the lake. One passenger suffered minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The emergency locator transmitter was
activated.


......From TSB.

[pelmet]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/britis ... .7588152

Two people were safely rescued after a float plane crashed in False Bay on the west side of Lasqueti Island, B.C., Thursday morning, according to officials and a witness who assisted with the rescue.

Al Bajec, owner of Lasqueti Island Hotel and Pub, was making coffee just after 9 a.m. when he says he heard the float plane coming in.

The plane, which Bajec believes belongs to Telus, comes every Thursday to drop off a couple of workers on the island, which is located about 70 kilometres northwest of Vancouver. Bajec said that on Thursday, it appeared to be coming in at a lower angle, but was otherwise normal, with relatively calm waters.

Amphib. Picture looks like a gear issue…oops!

From TSB....

C-FASA, a privately-registered De Havilland DHC-2 Mk. III (Turbo Beaver) airplane, equipped with
amphibious floats, was conducting a flight under visual flight rules from Qualicum Beach Airport
(CAT4), BC, to False Bay Water Aerodrome (CAT7), BC, with 1 pilot and 1 passenger on board.
The aircraft landed on the water at CAT7 with the gear down. Immediately after touchdown, the
float wheels dug into the water, the aircraft pitched forward, and the aircraft flipped upside down.
The aircraft settled nose low in the water at an approximately 30-degree angle. When the aircraft
came to a full stop, the pilot released his seatbelt and went back through the cabin to assist the
passenger. The pilot removed 2 personal flotation devices (PFD) from under the middle row seats.
The pilot unfastened the passenger's seatbelt and assisted him out the left cabin door. The pilot
assisted the passenger in donning a PFD and inflated it. The passenger called 911 from his
cellphone. Within 1 minute, a boat arrived at the aircraft and the pilot and passenger boarded the
boat. Ropes from the boat were used to tie the aircraft and was towed to the dock. The Canadian
Coast Guard, Canadian Forces Search and Rescue, and local emergency medical services
attended the scene. The emergency locator transmitter transmitted a signal. The pilot sustained
minor injuries; the passenger was uninjured. The aircraft was substantially damaged.
The aircraft was recovered from the water the following day and barged to a hangar for repair.

[pelmet]

Any suggestions on how this might have happened and what could be done to prevent it....

C-GCWO, a float-equipped Cessna 185F operated by Gogal Air Services Ltd., was conducting a flight from Snow Lake Water Aerodrome (CKM5), MB, to Lac du Bonnet (North) Water Aerodrome (CJS9), MB. The aircraft landed safely at CJS9 and began taxiing to the dock. After approximately 400 meters into the taxi, the right front float began to dig in under the waves and, shortly after, the left front float followed. The aircraft then slowly nosed over and sank becoming inverted with the floats keeping it afloat. The pilot, wearing his undeployed inflatable personal flotation device, was able to open the door and get out of the aircraft with no injuries. The aircraft was flipped back onto the floats and removed from the water in the following days by a contract maintenance facility. Upon inspection, it was noted that there was no structural damage to the aircraft.

....from tsb.