The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 11 March 2020.
Collision with trees
de Havilland DHC-2 Mk.1 (Beaver), C-GRHF (private)
Chibougamau, Quebec, 43 NM S
The occurrence
On , a privately operated de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver float plane was flying under visual flight rules from Gouin Reservoir, Quebec, to Weakwaten Lake, northwest of Chibougamau, Quebec, with 1 pilot and 3 passengers on board. The aircraft collided with the trees approximately 43 nautical miles (nm) south of Chibougamau Airport, Quebec. The pilot and 2 passengers sustained fatal injuries, and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) activated and its signal enabled a Canadian Armed Forces CC130 Hercules airplane to find the float plane. The survivor was rescued and transported to the hospital in Chibougamau.
Media materials
News release
Investigation report: July 2019 fatal collision with terrain in Chibougamau, Quebec
Read the news release
Investigation information
A19Q0107
Collision with trees
de Havilland DHC-2 Mk.1 (Beaver), C-GRHF (private)
Chibougamau, Quebec, 43 NM S
Investigator-in-charge
Kristina Schoos has more than 15 years’ experience as a helicopter pilot with various 702 and 703 operators, during which she has accumulated more than 6000 hours’ flying time across the country on 6 different types of helicopters, including the Bell 206 and Aerospatiale AS350. In the course of her career, she has been responsible for flight and ground training and has worked as assistant chief-pilot. Ms. Schoos also holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
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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
- 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.