Wind Shear and Incomplete Risk Assessment Blamed in Fatal B.C. Seaplane Crash The Transportation Safety Board says limited knowledge of wind conditions and an incomplete risk assessment likely caused a fatal seaplane crash in British Columbia in 2022. The Transportation Safety Board has concluded that limited knowledge of local wind conditions and a possibly incomplete risk assessment likely led a pilot to lose control of a seaplane in a crash in British Columbia that killed all three people on board. The crash occurred on Nov. 23, 2022, when the seaplane was leaving a logging camp in Strachan Bay along the province's central coast. The aircraft was headed for Port Hardy on northern Vancouver Island. Fatal Takeoff from Strachan BayAccording to the final report, the plane reached just 30 metres above sea level before it pitched down and crashed into the water. The pilot and two passengers were killed. The investigation found that a wind shear and mechanical turbulence were present at low altitudes at the time of takeoff.The report states that the pilot's pre-flight risk assessment may have been incomplete given those conditions. Investigators could not determine exactly why the pilot lost control of the aircraft.The TSB places the pilot's lack of proper pre-flight risk assessment, in light of the weather conditions, among the main contributing causes of the crash. Despite encountering moderate-to-severe turbulence and strong wind gusts on the previous flight, the occurrence pilot had limited knowledge of and familiarity with the effects of the winds at Strachan Bay, the report says. As a result, his assessment of the risks before deciding to take off was likely incomplete.Aircraft Modifications and Handling RisksThe investigation also found that the aircraft had several modifications for water operations and short-distance takeoffs and landings. The pilot may not have been aware of the changes to the plane's handling characteristics.The report warns that if multiple modifications are installed without adequate guidance on how to evaluate and document their cumulative effects on aircraft handling and performance, there is a risk that the aircraft will have unexpected flight characteristics, increasing the possibility for loss of control.The TSB says the combination of the pilot's incomplete risk assessment and the aircraft's modified handling likely contributed to the loss of control. The report does not assign sole responsibility but identifies these factors as key to the accident.Safety Context and Investigation FindingsThe crash happened as the seaplane was departing a logging camp in a remote area of British Columbia's central coast. The flight was destined for Port Hardy, a community on northern Vancouver Island. The investigation examined weather conditions, aircraft modifications and pilot decision-making.The TSB's final report highlights the importance of thorough pre-flight risk assessments, especially when operating in areas with variable wind conditions. It also underscores the need for proper guidance when aircraft are modified, to ensure pilots are fully aware of any changes in handling and performance.The report was first published by The Canadian Press on Oct. 15, 2026. The TSB is an independent agency that investigates transportation accidents in Canada and makes safety recommendations to prevent future occurrences.