The TSB Releases Report into the November 2011 Controlled Flight into Terrain of a Cessna 185 Aircraft in Fort St. John, British Columbia

GATINEAU, QC, Aug. 13, 2012 /CNW/ - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) today released its investigation report (A11W0180) into the 30 November2011 controlled flight into terrain of a Cessna 185 aircraft, operated by Trek Aerial Surveys, in Fort St. John, British Columbia.

The aircraft was on a night flight, under visual flight rules, from Peace River Airport, Alberta, to Fort St. John Airport, British Columbia, when it struck the ground 12 nautical miles east of Fort St. John Airport. The investigation found that for undetermined reasons, the pilot descended too low or was not aware of the descent and the low altitude of the aircraft which resulted in a collision with terrain. The pilot, and sole occupant, of the aircraft sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and there was no post-impact fire. The emergency locator transmitter activated on impact.

The TSB has identified collisions with land and water as an issue on its Watchlist. Visit the Transportation Safety Board's website (www.bst-tsb.gc.ca) for information about the new Watchlist which identifies the transportation safety issues that pose the greatest risk to Canadians. In each case, the TSB has found that actions taken to date are inadequate, and that industry and regulators need to take additional concrete measures to eliminate the risks.

The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation 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.

 

SOURCE: TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD OF CANADA

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