# Fort Simpson plane crash investigation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fort-simpson-plane-crash-investigation
> Updated: 2026-10-15T20:20:00.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 2.

The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has recovered missing components from a Turbo Commander 960 Bird Dog 104 that crashed near Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, in June. The aircraft, owned by Buffalo Airways, was engaged in wildfire suppression efforts during the accident.

Investigators previously reported that the plane’s left wing and its horizontal and vertical tail stabilizers were missing from the initial wreckage. The left wing was found buried in muskeg on July 26, and a dive team used side scan sonar to locate the tail sections in a lake approximately 1,000 feet southeast of the crash site on September 23. Both sets of parts have been moved to Edmonton for analysis.

The crash caused the deaths of pilot Robert MacLeod and air attack officers Olivier Lamy and Ryan Beck. Preliminary findings from the TSB suggest an “in-flight breakup” may have caused the accident. A formal examination involving Buffalo Airways and Transport Canada is expected.

## Claims

- The Transportation Safety Board of Canada completed its investigation into a 2022 float plane crash in Strachan Bay. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The crash resulted in the deaths of the pilot and two passengers. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Incomplete pre-flight risk assessments due to limited familiarity with local wind conditions likely contributed to the accident. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The aircraft had modifications that altered its short take-off and landing performance and water operations. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- A strong regional pressure gradient created low-level wind shear and mechanical turbulence at the time of the crash. (corroborated by 6 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-15: Transportation Safety Board completes investigation into fatal 2022 float plane crash

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has completed its investigation into a fatal 2022 float plane crash in Strachan Bay, citing wind shear and aircraft modifications as contributing factors.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/transportation-safety-board-completes-investigation-into-fatal-2022-float-plane-crash

### 2026-10-01: TSB recovers missing parts from fatal Fort Simpson plane crash

The Transportation Safety Board has recovered the missing wing and tail sections from a fatal June plane crash near Fort Simpson, NWT, allowing for a detailed investigation into the accident.

17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fort-simpson-plane-crash-tsb-recovers-missing-wreckage

---
Cite as: Fort Simpson plane crash investigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fort-simpson-plane-crash-investigation