The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada says the float plane crash that killed two people near Tofino last year was likely the result of unpredictable winds.
According to the TSB, the aircraft was carrying three passengers and a pilot when it crashed in June 2023.
The TSB found that the left float of the aircraft bounced off a boat wake or an object while attempting to land and sent the plane 30 feet in the air and to the right before striking land in the Tahsis Narrows.
“Although the exact winds at the time of the occurrence are unknown, winds in mountain ranges can be very unpredictable and downdrafts are not uncommon,” the report, released Wednesday, stated.
The TSB says the pilot was properly licensed and had experience flying in the area. It says no indication of medical or physiological factors was found to be impacting his performance at the time of the crash.
The crash resulted in the deaths of the pilot and one passenger. Another passenger was seriously injured and one other sustained minor injuries.
Mounties said that at about 2 p.m. on June 20, police were notified of the crash near Mizona Point.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and the Coast Guard initially responded to the crash, along with the Nootka Sound RCMP and the Royal Canadian Air Force 119 Squadron from Comox.
The report additionally noted the crash had caused a small fire, which was responded to by fire personnel.