The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 22 January 2018.
Hard landing on water
Inland Air Charters Ltd.
de Havilland DHC-2 Mk. I (Beaver), C-FJOM
Kitkatla, British Columbia
The occurrence
On 24 May 2016, a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, C-FJOM, operated by Inland Air Charter was landing at the water aerodrome in Kitkatla, British Columbia, when the aircraft landed hard, bounced, and landed hard again. The left wing made contact with the water. The aircraft settled in the water and partially nosed over. There were 7 person on board; all egressed into the water as the aircraft sank.
No one on board was wearing a personal flotation device during the flight, and no one egressed the aircraft with the available life vests. All 7 persons were rescued by local boaters. Three persons were taken by MEDEVAC to hospital with suspected minor injuries.
Media materials
News release
Gusty crosswind conditions led to May 2016 hard landing on water of Inland Air DHC-2 Beaver floatplane in Kitkatla, British Columbia
Read the news release
Investigation information
A16P0078
Hard landing on water
Inland Air Charters Ltd.
de Havilland DHC-2 Mk. I (Beaver), C-FJOM
Kitkatla, British Columbia
Investigator-in-charge
Since joining the TSB in 1999, Glen Friesen, Regional Senior Investigation, Operations (Air), has been investigator-in-charge on numerous regional investigations of airplane and helicopter occurrences and air traffic control incidents. Mr. Friesen has also assisted in many investigations and served as a group chairperson in a major investigation.
With a background primarily in fixed-wing operations, he currently holds an airline transport pilot licence (airplane) as well as a commercial helicopter pilot licence. Mr. Friesen’s pilot experience ranges from transporting hunters, trappers and dog teams on floats and skis to charter and scheduled airline operations on large turbo-prop aircraft. He also has experience in airport operations as well as provision of simulator exercises for air traffic controller training.
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.