Air transportation safety investigation A23P0153

Table of contents

    Collision with terrain
    Wilderness Seaplanes Ltd.
    Grumman G-21A, C-GDDJ
    Bella Bella (Campbell Island) Airport (CBBC), British Columbia, 0.5 NM SE

    The occurrence

    On 18 December 2023, the Grumman G-21A aircraft, operated by Wilderness Seaplanes Ltd., was conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) flight from Bella Bella (Campbell Island) Airport (CBBC), British Columbia (BC), to Port Hardy Airport (CYZT), BC, with 1 pilot and 4 passengers on board.

    Shortly after takeoff, the left engine surged and lost power, and a few seconds later, the right engine lost power. The pilot transmitted a Mayday call and conducted an emergency landing in a forested area approximately 0.5 nautical miles southeast of the airport.

    All occupants received minor injuries and were able to exit the left cabin door. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The TSB is investigating.

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    A23P0153

    Collision with terrain
    Wilderness Seaplanes Ltd.
    Grumman G-21A, C-GDDJ
    Bella Bella (Campbell Island) Airport (CBBC), British Columbia, 0.5 NM SE

    Photos

    Image
    Photo of occurrence aircraft

      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

    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.