Accident Details
On October 15, 2012, at 1402 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200, Canadian registration C-GNAS, operated by Nadeau Air Service, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada. The two pilots on board were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The foreign, non-scheduled local training flight had departed Trois-Rivieres, Canada, at an unreported time.
Sequence of Events
According to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, an instructor and a student were performing a missed approach segment of an RNAV approach at an altitude of 2,100 feet when the right engine suffered a catastrophic failure and caught fire. The co-pilot declared an emergency and reported their intention to land. Meanwhile, dense smoke spread inside the cabin. The airplane landed in a field two nautical miles east of Victoriaville Airport. The airplane struck the ground and came to rest inverted.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the right engine showed the number two cylinder had separated in flight, causing the fire. The number two cylinder hold down studs and through bolts showed signs of fatigue failure.
Investigation Authority
This investigation is under the jurisdiction of the government of Canada. Any further information regarding the investigation can be obtained from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.