Several of the above aircraft types can be configured for floatplane operations from lakes or rivers in addition to being operated as landplanes using conventional runways or airstrips.
Accidents
On 5 July 2004, a Twin Otter, C-FMOL, was departing a 1,500 ft (460 m) gravel runway just off the Canol Road west of Norman Wells. As they took off the aircraft was caught by a sudden crosswind and returned to the runway where the left wheel caught some willows that were growing onto the airstrip. The aircraft went off the end of the strip and the wing became detached. No one was killed or injured[8]
On 14 September 2005, a Cessna 207, C-FAWL, left Tulita Airport for Norman Wells. About 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) the aircraft, with one pilot and two passengers, went down into the muskeg and flipped over. The passengers were uninjured but the pilot had serious injuries.[9]
On 16 August 2006, a Cessna 337, C-FWHP, was flying from Fort Good Hope Airport to Norman Wells with one pilot and five passengers. the aircraft went overdue and a search was begun. The wreckage was found about 26 NM (48 km; 30 mi) east of Fort Good Hope. All passengers and the pilot were killed.[10]
On 16 July 2008, a Twin Otter was on final for Hook Lake when the aircraft stalled. The aircraft hit some trees near the shore of the lake but neither pilot was injured.[11]
On 20 May 2010, the wing of a Cessna 207, that was flying at a low altitude at Fort Good Hope Airport hit another North-Wright pilot. The pilot on the ground, William Bleach, who was filming at the time, died three days later. Parker James Butterfield, who was flying the C207, was sentenced to nine months and suspended from flying for two years.[12][13][14]