The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 24 January 2018.
Loss of control and collision with terrain
de Havilland DHC-2 (Beaver), C-GEWG
Laidman Lake, British Columbia, 11 nm E
The occurrence
On 10 October 2016, at approximately 0820 Pacific Daylight Time, a privately operated de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver aircraft on amphibious floats (registration C-GEWG, serial number 842), departed from Vanderhoof Airport, British Columbia, for a day visual flight rules flight to Laidman Lake, British Columbia. The pilot and 4 passengers were on board. Approximately 24 minutes into the flight, the aircraft struck terrain about 11 nautical miles east of Laidman Lake. The 406 MHz emergency locator transmitter (ELT) activated on impact. The ELT's distress signal was detected by the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system, and a search-and-rescue operation was initiated by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Victoria. One of the passengers was able to call 911 using a cell phone. The pilot was fatally injured, and 2 passengers were seriously injured. The other 2 passengers sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. There was no post-impact fire.
Media materials
News release
Out-of-limit weight-and-balance and optical illusions contributed to a 2016 Beaver accident near Laidman Lake, British Columbia
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators to an air accident north of Anahim Lake, British Columbia
Richmond, British Columbia, 11 October 2016 - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators following yesterday's accident involving a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver north of Anahim Lake, British Columbia. The TSB is gathering information and assessing the occurrence.
Investigation information
A16P0180
Loss of control and collision with terrain
de Havilland DHC-2 (Beaver), C-GEWG
Laidman Lake, British Columbia, 11 nm E
Investigator-in-charge
Roberto Chiatto joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in 2014 as a Senior Technical Investigator, Air Branch, for the Pacific Region and is based out of Vancouver. Mr. Chiatto has 24 years of civil aviation experience.
Prior to joining the TSB, Mr. Chiatto was an Inspector for Transport Canada Civil Aviation Enforcement. During his seven years at the Enforcement Branch, he carried out over 135 comprehensive investigations.
Mr. Chiatto has extensive experience in aircraft maintenance and repair. Prior to his position with Transport Canada, he worked for 17 years as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) on numerous small and large transport category aircraft. The majority of his rotary wing experience was in the helicopter logging industry where he maintained the Boeing Vertol 107 II and MD 500D. Mr. Chiatto also has fixed wing experience on Boeing 767 aircraft and holds a valid AME license with M1 and M2 ratings.
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.