Air transportation safety investigation A23P0061

The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 8 May 2024.

Table of contents

    Collision with terrain
    Privately registered
    Quest Kodiak 100, C-GKTX
    Tofino/Long Beach Airport, British Columbia, 60 NM NW

    The occurrence

    On 20 June 2023, a privately registered Quest Kodiak 100 amphibious float-equipped aircraft was conducting a flight from Masset Airport (CYZT), British Columbia, to a cabin located approximately 60 nautical miles northwest of Tofino, British Columbia, with four  people on board. During a go-around following a rejected landing, the aircraft collided with terrain.

    An emergency locator transmitter signal was received by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria, British Columbia. Canadian Coast Guard, Canadian Armed Forces Search and Rescue, RCMP, and fire personnel responded.
    There was a post-impact fire and the aircraft was destroyed.

    The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured, one passenger received serious injuries, and one passenger received minor injuries.


    Media materials

    News release

    2024-05-08

    Investigation report: Fatal aircraft accident north of Tofino, British Columbia
    Read the news release

    Deployment notice

    2023-06-21

    TSB deploys a team following an aircraft accident northwest of Tofino, British Columbia

    Richmond, British Columbia, 21 June 2023 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators following an accident involving a Quest Kodiak 100 aircraft that occurred northwest of Tofino, British Columbia. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.


    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    A23P0061

    Collision with terrain
    Privately registered
    Quest Kodiak 100, C-GKTX
    Tofino/Long Beach Airport, British Columbia, 60 NM NW

    Investigator-in-charge

    Image
    Photo of Jessica Hamstra

    Jessica Hamstra joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada in 2019. Over the course of her aviation career, Ms. Hamstra has gained experience in numerous areas including flight training, medevac, charters, and scheduled airline operations. She has accumulated over 6000 hours of flight time on a variety of aircraft types, such as PA-28-140, C-180, King Air 100/200, Shorts 360, Dash 8, and Airbus A320.


    Photos


      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.