TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 6 August 2024.
Collision with terrain
Privately registered
De Havilland DHC-2 (Beaver), C-GSBA
Campbell River Airport, British Columbia, 10 NM SSE
The occurrence
On 20 September 2023, a De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver aircraft, operated by Sealand Aviation Ltd., was conducting a local flight from Campbell River Airport, British Columbia, with 2 pilots on board. After a stall exercise, the aircraft was unable to maintain altitude, and a forced landing was initiated. The aircraft subsequently collided with terrain in a heavily forested area. A The emergency locator transmitter activated. The crew was able to exit the aircraft without assistance.
A search and rescue helicopter was dispatched from Comox Airport, British Columbia, and recovered the 2 crew members, who suffered minor injuries, and transported them to a local hospital. There was no post-crash fire; however, the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Media materials
Investigation information
A23P0123
Collision with terrain
Privately registered
De Havilland DHC-2 (Beaver), C-GSBA
Campbell River Airport, British Columbia, 10 NM SSE
Investigator-in-charge
Brandon Dreyer joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada in 2023 as a Senior Regional Investigator of Operations for the Pacific Region, based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He began flying in 1995,accumulating 7,800 hours as a flight instructor, airline pilot, airshow pilot, and unlimited-level aerobatic competition pilot during his career. Mr. Dreyer has flown throughout North America with four different airlines on more than 40 different types of aircraft including the Boeing 727, CRJ-900/200, Q400, DHC8-100/300, and SAAB 340. Mr. Dreyer has a degree in psychology from Trinity Western University and is a published aviation writer.
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
- 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.