Glassy water contributed to fatal 2024 B.C. seaplane crash, investigators say

Transportation Safety Board of Canada signage is seen outside TSB offices in Ottawa, Monday, May 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada’s Transportation Safety Board is urging seaplane pilots to be aware of risks when landing on calm and glassy water after a crash in British Columbia two years ago that killed one passenger.

The board says in its investigation report into the Oct. 2, 2024 crash that the Cessna seaplane was landing at Warner Bay with three people onboard when it flipped over.

The investigation found that one of the passengers was able to escape the submerged cabin and help the pilot to surface, but the second passenger was trapped by a safety belt and drowned.

The report shows that the landing happened in “glass-water” conditions, with a mirror-like water surface devoid of any disturbance, which can make it hard for pilots to judge a plane’s speed and position.

The board is recommending pilots to be well aware of the threats posed by such conditions and make sure they land using correct techniques, regardless of their experience.

The recommendations also include a focus on pre-flight briefings, which should emphasize how to exit a cabin underwater to minimize the risks created by disorientation and cold-water shock in the event of a crash.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2026.