DHC2, Squaw Lake Quebec Canada, 2005
DHC2, Squaw Lake Quebec Canada, 2005
Summary
On 1st September 2005, a DHC-2 Beaver, crashed near Squaw Lake, Quebec, Canada, following loss of control in poor weather and moderate to severe turbulence.
Flight Details
Aircraft
Operator
Type of Flight
Public Transport (Passenger)
Take-off Commenced
Yes
Flight Airborne
Yes
Flight Completed
No
Phase of Flight
Cruise
Location
Approx.
11 nm northwest of Squaw Lake and 4 nm east of Elross Lake
HF
Tag(s)
Manual Handling,
Procedural non compliance
LOC
Tag(s)
Environmental Factors
WX
Tag(s)
En route In-cloud air turbulence,
Low Level Windshear
Outcome
Damage or injury
Yes
Aircraft damage
Hull loss
Non-aircraft damage
Yes
Non-occupant Casualties
No
Occupant Fatalities
Most or all occupants
Off Airport Landing
Yes
Ditching
Yes
Causal Factor Group(s)
Group(s)
Aircraft Operation
Safety Recommendation(s)
Group(s)
Aircraft Operation
Investigation Type
Type
Independent
Description
On 1st September 2005, a DHC-2 Beaver, crashed near Squaw Lake, Quebec, Canada, following loss of control in poor weather and moderate to severe turbulence.
Synopsis
The following is the synopsis from the official report published by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada:
"The float-equipped de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver…departed the outfitter base camp at Squaw Lake, Quebec[1], at 0925 eastern daylight time, with a passenger and a few supplies on board, for a round-trip visual flight rules (VFR) flight to two wilderness camps, Camp 2 and Camp Pons. The weather in Squaw Lake was suitable for visual flight at the time of take-off but was forecast to deteriorate later in the day. The pilot completed the flights to the two camps and on the way back to Squaw Lake, the weather forced the pilot to make a precautionary landing on Elross Lake[2], 15 nm northwest of Squaw Lake. At 1630, he reported to the company via high frequency (HF) radio that he intended to take off from Elross Lake, as there seemed to be a break in the weather. Rescue efforts were initiated in the evening when the aircraft did not arrive at the base camp. The aircraft was located at 1230 the following day, 4 nm from Elross Lake…The aircraft was destroyed by a post-impact fire. The pilot sustained fatal injuries."
The report makes the following statement regarding the cause and contributing factors:
"The pilot attempted to cross the mountain ridge in adverse weather, and the aircraft stalled at an altitude from which recovery was not possible. Loss of visual references, strong updrafts, moderate to severe turbulence and possible wind shear likely contributed to the onset of the aerodynamic stall."
Related Articles
Further Reading
- ^ Schefferville/Squaw Lake Water Aerodrome (TC LID: CSZ9 (54°49′41″ N, 66°48′5″ W))
- ^ Elross Lake (54°52'0" N, 67°9'57" W)
- For further information on this particular incident, see the full TSB Accident Report
