What happened
At approximately 1430 mountain daylight time, a privately owned Cessna 310R, registration C-GRSJ, departed from Golden Airport (CYGE) in British Columbia for a local flight. During the flight, the pilot performed two low-altitude passes over his residence. While the first pass was consistent with the pilot's usual habits, the second pass was conducted at a lower altitude and a slower airspeed. As the aircraft flew over a stand of 22-metre-high trees, the nose suddenly pitched downward. The aircraft struck the ground at a 45-degree angle, approximately 24 metres from the trees. The pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed by the impact and a subsequent fire.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found that the impact marks formed a single, straight line, with the main wreckage located 48 metres from the initial impact point. Both engines separated from the airframe upon impact, and the propellers showed similar damage patterns. An inspection of the engine dual tachometer revealed a needle slap mark indicating that at least one engine was operating at 2400 rpm, which is within the normal operating range. This suggests the engines were functioning normally until the moment of impact.
While the post-impact fire prevented the establishment of control continuity, the flight path and the sudden nose-down pitch were highly characteristic of an aerodynamic stall. Witnesses also noted that the aircraft's stall warning horn had been heard during previous low-level maneuvers. The pilot held a valid private pilot licence and had no reported health issues or evidence of drug use prior to the accident. Maintenance records indicated the aircraft had recently undergone its annual inspection.
Findings
- The pilot's second pass over his residence was performed at a lower altitude and slower speed than his typical flight pattern.
- The aircraft experienced an aerodynamic stall at an altitude that left the pilot with insufficient time or height to recover before hitting the ground.