An instructor pilot from Lake Country Airways was injured in a “propeller strike” incident earlier this month.
The incident occurred May 8 at the recently relocated seaplane base now operating from the Cape Resort at 6604 Rama Rd.
The Ramara fire department was called, but were not first on the scene and were subsequently released, said Ramara Fire Chief Tony Stong. He said he had nothing else to report on the matter.
County of Simcoe Paramedic Services officials say they do not have a record of the call.
The operator did report the incident to the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada, who initiated a class five investigation.
The report summary states that during a seaplane training session with a Cessna 172K, the wind caused the aircraft to veer unexpectedly toward the dock.
The instructor pilot turned the engine off and went to the front of the plane to prevent it from hitting the dock. While the propellers slowed, one of the blades hit the back of the instructor’s hand who was then brought to the local hospital for treatment, notes the report.
OrilliaMatters reached out to the owner of Lake Country Airways but did not receive comment in time for publication.
Under the TSB policy, a class five occurrence “has little likelihood of identifying new safety lessons that will advance transportation safety. The occurrence may involve fatalities and/or serious injuries.”
In aviation, what qualifies as a prop strike can vary from catastrophic damage to something that appears minor.
Ramara Mayor Basil Clarke said he was unaware of the incident in question, but has heard from residents expressing concerns that the Lake Country Airways float planes are now operating at Lake Couchiching.
Residents in the area and officials at Camp Couchiching have expressed concerns about the location of the new seaplane base.
“Now it’s a commercial company operating right on the shores of the cottages, so you absolutely can understand their concerns,” he said.
Most of the concerns Clarke noted are noise disturbances and not safety related.
Since the water and airways are regulated federally, the township is limited in what it can do, Clarke told OrilliaMatters. The mayor said staff are still gathering information as to options available to the municipality.
Residents who have questions or concerns specific to the aerodrome should contact Transport Canada though its Civil Aviation Communications Centre contact form.
By Danielle Pitman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on May 20, 2026 at 13:24
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