Air transportation safety investigation A25C0103

Table of contents

    Collision with terrain
    MHA Enterprises Ltd.
    De Havilland DHC-2 MK.1, C-FDPW
    Makepeace Lake, Manitoba 

    The occurrence

    On 13 September 2025, a float-equipped De Havilland DHC-2 MK.1 aircraft, operated by MHA Enterprises Ltd., was conducting a visual flight rules flight from a float base in St. Theresa Point, Manitoba, to Makepeace Lake, Manitoba, with one pilot and four passengers on board. 

    Approximately half a nautical mile from Makepeace Lake, the aircraft collided with the terrain. A post-impact fire ignited. Both the aircraft’s emergency locator transmitter and the pilot’s mobile device activated following the crash, notifying emergency services. Island Lake’s RCMP and search and rescue technicians deployed to the site.

    The pilot was seriously injured, and the four passengers were fatally injured. The TSB is investigating.

    Media materials

    Deployment notice

    TSB to deploy a team of investigators following an aircraft accident near St. Theresa Point, Manitoba

    Investigation information

    Photos

    The De Havilland aircraft collided with the terrain in a forested area near Makepeace Lake, Manitoba. (Source: TSB)

      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

    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.