Private Canadian

Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)

On 09 December 2019, a private Piper Aerostar PA-60-602P aircraft (registration C-FQYW, serial number 60-8265020), departed Cabo San Lucas International Airport (MMSL), Baja California Sur, Mexico, with 3 people on board, for a 2-day trip to Nanaimo Airport (CYCD), British Columbia (BC). As planned the aircraft stopped for an overnight rest at Chino Airport (KCNO), California, U.S. At 1142, on 10 December 2019, the aircraft departed KCNO on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan to Bishop Airport (KBIH), California, U.S., for a planned fuel stop. The aircraft departed KBIH at approximately 1425 on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan to CYCD. On 10 December 2019, night started at 1654. At 1741, the Vancouver area control centre air traffic controller advised the pilot that an aerodrome special meteorological report (SPECI) had been issued for CYCD at 1731. The SPECI reported visibility as 2 ½ statute miles (SM) in light drizzle and mist, with an overcast ceiling of 400 feet above ground level (AGL). The pilot informed the controller that he would be conducting an instrument landing system (ILS) approach for Runway 16. At 1749, when the aircraft was approximately 32 nautical miles (NM) south of CYCD, the pilot contacted the controller to inquire about the weather conditions at Victoria International Airport (CYYJ), BC. The controller informed the pilot that a SPECI was issued for CYYJ at 1709 and it reported the visibility as 5 SM in mist, a broken ceiling at 600 feet AGL, and an overcast layer at 1200 feet AGL. The controller provided the occurrence flight with pilot observations from another aircraft that had landed at CYCD approximately 15 minutes before. That crew had reported being able to see the Runway 16 approach lights at minimums, i.e., at 373 feet AGL. Between 1753 and 1802, the controller provided vectors to the pilot in order to intercept the ILS localizer. At 1803, the controller observed that the aircraft had not intercepted the localizer for Runway 16. The aircraft had continued to the southwest, past the localizer, at an altitude of 2100 feet above sea level (ASL) and a ground speed of 140 knots. The controller queried the pilot to confirm that he was still planning to intercept the ILS for Runway 16. The pilot confirmed that he would be intercepting the ILS as planned. The aircraft made a heading correction and momentarily lined up with the localizer before beginning a turn to the west. At 1804:03, the pilot requested vectors from the controller and informed him that he “just had a fail.” The controller responded with instructions to “turn left heading zero nine zero, tight left turn.” The pilot asked the controller to repeat the heading. The controller responded with instructions to “…turn right heading three six zero.” The pilot acknowledged the heading; however, the aircraft continued turning right beyond the assigned heading while climbing to 2500 feet ASL and slowing to a ground speed of 80 knots. The aircraft then began to descend, picking up speed as it was losing altitude. At 1804:33, the aircraft descended to 1800 feet ASL and reached a ground speed of 160 knots. At 1804:40, the pilot informed the air traffic controller that the aircraft had lost its attitude indicator.Footnote6 At the same time, the aircraft was climbing into a 2nd right turn. At 1804:44, the air traffic controller asked the pilot what he needed from him; the pilot replied he needed a heading. The controller provided the pilot with a heading of three six zero. At 1804:47, the aircraft reached an altitude of 2700 feet ASL and a ground speed of 60 knots. The aircraft continued its right turn and began to lose altitude. The controller instructed the pilot to gain altitude if he was able to; however, the pilot did not acknowledge the instruction. The last encoded radar return for the aircraft was at 1805:26, when the aircraft was at 300 feet ASL and travelling at a ground speed of 120 knotsControl of the aircraft was lost. The aircraft collided with a power pole and trees in a wooded park area on Gabriola Island, BC, and then impacted the ground. The aircraft broke into pieces and caught fire. The 3 occupants on board received fatal injuries. As a result of being damaged in the accident, the emergency locator transmitter (Artex ME406, serial number 188-00293) did not activate.

Cessna 402

On final approach to North Bay Airport by night, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located 1,6 km short of runway. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Noorduyn Norseman

After takeoff from Witchai Lake, the pilot initiated a turn to the left when the single engine airplane stalled, struck the water surface and crashed into the lake. The pilot was rescued while the passenger drowned.

Dornier DO.28A/B

Crashed on takeoff for unknown reasons. All four occupants were killed.

Rockwell Aero Commander 520

While in cruising altitude on a flight from Portland from Sacramento in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane suffered an airframe failure. It entered a dive and crashed in a field located near Cheshire, northwest of Eugene. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all seven occupants were killed.

Dornier DO.28A/B

Crashed in unknown circumstances. No casualties.

Dornier DO.28A/B

Shortly after takeoff from Charlie Lake, the seaplane hit obstacles and crashed. All six occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I

Six minutes after takeoff from Edmonton Airport, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure but preferred to continue rather than to return. Later into the flight, unable to maintain the prescribed altitude, the pilot elected to divert to Calgary Airport for a safe landing when on final, the airplane lost speed, stalled and crashed in a field. Both occupants were killed.

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

While descending to Moshabong Lake and completing a last turn, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed into the lake near the shore. Two passengers were killed while a third one and the pilot were seriously injured.

Dornier DO.28A/B

Crashed in unknown circumstances. There were no casualties.

Noorduyn Norseman

Shortly after takeoff from Brisco, while in initial climb, the pilot initiated a turn when control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed in a field. The pilot was killed while three passengers were injured. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were good with a high OAT. The airplane was carrying boat equipment and its total weight was just within limits. The airplane was owned by Jim Lougheed.

Dornier DO.28A/B

Crashed in unknown circumstances into Lake Saint-Jean. All three occupants were rescued while the aircraft was lost.

De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth

Owned by J. B. Lavoie, the aircraft was on its way to be delivered to its new owner. While taking off from Mauser Lake, south of Parent, the single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. The pilot was rescued while the airplane was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Crashed on takeoff from Bow Lake. Occupant fate remains unknown.

De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth

Crashed on takeoff from Duck Lake in Kenora. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was the property of Robert R. Colley.

De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth

While flying at low height, the single engine hit trees and crashed in Longueuil, in the suburb of Montreal. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were injured. The airplane was owned by D. Pearson and W. Wilson.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

On landing off Wolfe Island, the single engine aircraft hit a stake in water and came to rest. While both occupants were unhurt, the aircraft owned by Donald Barnes was damaged beyond repair.

Noorduyn Norseman

Crashed in unknown circumstances shortly after takeoff from Grey Trout Lake, Ontario. All occupants survived while the aircraft owned by J. A. Mathieu was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Crashed on takeoff from Fraser River, BC. The crew fate remains unknown. The single engine aircraft was owned by P. Jorgenson.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

On landing, the single engine aircraft owned by R. Wells went out of control and came to rest upside down. The pilot was injured.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Shortly after take off, while climbing, the pilot was forced to make a sharp turn to avoid trees. The aircraft stalled and crashed two kilometers from its departure point. The pilot was injured. The aircraft was owned by T. G. Bartsch & D. Patry.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

The owner/pilot C.L.E. Gordon was performing a pleasure flight in the region of Compton. En route, he was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reason. The aircraft crashed in a field and came to rest upside down. The pilot was unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Esquimalt Harbor, near Victoria. Occupant fate unknown.

De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth

En route, the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing due to an in-flight fire. The aircraft crash landed near la Rivière-aux-Outardes, in the region of Baie-Comeau. While the pilot was unhurt, the aircraft was destroyed. The aircraft was owned by Bruce Watt.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

While taking off, the aircraft was caught by a gust of wind, swerved and veered off runway before coming to rest. While both occupants were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

En route, technical problems forced the pilot to attempt an emergency landing near Pigeon Lake, some 30 miles west of Millet. While both occupants were unhurt, the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Avro 594 Avian

On landing, an undercarriage failed. The aircraft slid on several yards before coming to rest. While all three occupants were injured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

The pilot made an emergency landing in Lower Onslow, west of Truro, following unknown technical problems. While he was unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Crashed in unknown circumstances.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Crashed on takeoff.