What happened
On a day marked by heavy snow showers and shifting winds, a Cessna 172RG, registration C-GBEJ, departed Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, for a flight to Dawson. The aircraft was occupied by one pilot and one passenger. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot notified the Whitehorse Flight Service Station that he intended to follow the highway at a low altitude.
As the flight progressed, the aircraft was observed by motorists at low altitudes near Lake Labarge and Fox Lake. While the pilot had received a weather briefing prior to departure, no flight plan or itinerary had been filed. During the flight, visibility began to degrade significantly. At approximately 1310, the aircraft was seen flying at roughly 200 feet above the ground, turning north along Fox Lake amidst heavy snow.
Later that afternoon, the wreckage of the aircraft was found on the frozen surface of Fox Lake, about 40 nautical miles northwest of Whitehorse. The impact, which occurred at cruise speed and in a steep left bank, resulted in two fatalities. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact with the snow-covered ice.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's condition, the pilot's experience, and the prevailing meteorological conditions. Investigators found that the engine was producing significant power at the moment of impact, as evidenced by the damage to the propeller. There were no signs of mechanical failure or airframe malfunction prior to the crash.
Meteorological data revealed that while the initial forecast predicted visibilities of at least six statute miles, subsequent weather reports indicated that visibility had dropped to as low as one-half statute mile due to snow showers. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's credentials, noting that while he was a highly experienced pilot with over 3,300 total hours, he lacked specific training or instruction in instrument flying or night operations.
Findings
- The pilot continued to operate under visual flight rules (VFR) despite encountering adverse weather conditions for which he was not qualified or sufficiently trained.
- The combination of snow showers and the flat, white, snow-covered surface of Fox Lake created conditions conducive to whiteout.
- The aircraft struck the frozen lake because the pilot likely lost the ability to accurately judge his altitude and orientation due to the loss of visual contrast and potential spatial disorientation.