Air transportation safety investigation A25Q0105

Table of contents

    Failure, stall at takeoff, and collision with water
    Air Tunilik Inc.
    De Havilland DHC-2 Mk. I (Beaver), C-FJAC
    Lac du Poisson Blanc, Quebec

    The occurrence

    On 19 July 2025, the Air Tunilik Inc. float-equipped De Havilland DHC-2 Mk. I (Beaver) departed Poisson Blanc Lake, Quebec for a visual flight rules (VFR) day flight to Evans Lake, Quebec, with 1 pilot and 4 passengers on bord. Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power after a reduction in airspeed and the pilot tried to land in the remaining part of the lake. While the water surface was glassy, as there was no wind, and while the pilot attempted to land, the right wing stalled and the aircraft impacted the surface of the lake in a nose-down attitude to the right. All occupants were able to evacuate the aircraft and swim to the eastern shore of the lake. One passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The emergency locator transmitter activated. The TSB is investigating.

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    A25Q0105

    Failure, stall at takeoff, and collision with water
    Air Tunilik Inc.
    De Havilland DHC-2 Mk. I (Beaver), C-FJAC
    Lac du Poisson Blanc, Quebec

    Photos

    The De Havilland DHC-2 Mk. I aircraft K1 during recovery of the aircraft from Poisson Blanc Lake in the days following the collision with water which occurred on 19 July 2025 (Source: TSB)

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    Class of investigation

    This is a class 4 investigation. These investigations are limited in scope, and while the final reports may contain limited analysis, they do not contain findings or recommendations. Class 4 investigations are generally completed within 220 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.

    TSB investigation process

    There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation

    1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.