History of the Flight
The Cessna 177B Cardinal departed Whitecourt, Alberta, at 1410 mountain daylight time on a visual flight rules company flight to Calgary, with intermediate stops at Calling Lake and Lloydminster. The purpose of the second leg was to pick up a company-contracted freelance photographer from Calling Lake. The aircraft arrived at Calling Lake at approximately 1510, and a company Robinson R-44 helicopter delivered the passenger to the airstrip at 1645. After a brief conversation, the helicopter pilot assisted with loading the passenger's gear and departed at about 1700.
The Cardinal pilot taxied to the threshold of runway 10, completed a 180° left turn, and lined up to the right of the runway centerline. Approximately 200 feet of usable runway remained behind the aircraft when the takeoff commenced. No discernible change in engine sound was noted after takeoff. The stall warning horn activated before impact. There were no witnesses; the crash occurred at about 1715. A small forest fire was observed from a local forestry fire tower at 1725. Responders found the wreckage east of the departure end of runway 10. The passenger cut his lap-belt, kicked open his door, and moved away from the burning aircraft. He attempted to rescue the pilot but was forced back by the escalating fire. The aircraft was destroyed; the pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The passenger walked to a nearby road and was assisted by motorists and forestry personnel.
Injuries to Persons
The pilot sustained fatal injuries due to the fire. A post-mortem examination determined it highly probable she sustained non-life-threatening impact injuries but succumbed to thermal effects of the fuel-fed fire. The passenger sustained a fractured collarbone and shoulder blade at impact, and serious burns to his hands, arms, back, and legs while attempting rescue.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Other Damage
The crash initiated a forest fire that burned several hectares of non-merchantable, immature timber, much of it in the aerodrome's clearway zone.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 29, held a commercial pilot license. She had 343 total flying hours, with 140 hours on the Cessna 177B. She had 121.5 hours in the last 90 days, all on type. She began ab initio training in April 1998, earned her private license in April 1999, and commercial license in November 1999. She started employment with the operator in February 2000. Most recent experience was gas pipeline patrols at cruise speeds. She had limited grass runway experience and had not used Calling Lake before. Company provided basic training and additional route training.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a 1975 Cessna 177B Cardinal, serial number 177-02250, with a Lycoming O-360-A1F6 engine. Total airframe time was 2166.7 hours. Maximum allowable takeoff weight was 2500 pounds. Weight calculations at takeoff showed the aircraft at or near gross weight: operational empty weight 1659 pounds, occupants 370 pounds, passenger gear estimated 190 pounds, fuel estimated 285 pounds. Center of gravity was within normal limits.
Performance Considerations
Performance data from the owner's manual indicates that at 2500 feet elevation and 50°F (10°C), a maximum-weight takeoff from a hard-surface runway with flaps at 15° requires 1675 feet to clear 50-foot obstacles. Allowances for higher temperature, upslope, grass surface, and flaps up increase this distance by about 32%, to approximately 2211 feet. The flap actuator in the wreckage indicated flaps were in the up (0°) position at impact. It could not be determined if the pilot took off without flaps or raised them immediately after becoming airborne. Either technique increases climb distance to 50 feet. The manual states that takeoffs into strong crosswinds are normally performed with minimum flap setting necessary for field length, and the aircraft should be accelerated slightly faster than normal and pulled off abruptly to prevent settling.
Weather Conditions
The helicopter pilot reported north to northwest winds at 10 to 15 knots. Responders estimated winds variable from northwest to northeast at 12 to 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots, sky clear, visibility unlimited, temperature 15°C. A departure on runway 10 would have subjected the aircraft to a strong crosswind from the left and possibly an occasional tailwind.
Aerodrome Information
The grass-surfaced runway is 2950 feet long, in good condition with grass 3-4 inches long. Longitudinal upslope on runway 10 is 1.5% for about 2700 feet, then 0.40%. Elevation at threshold 2054 feet, departure end 2092 feet. The aerodrome is registered. An extensive clearway originally existed at the departure end of runway 10 but had not been maintained; it contained second-growth trees up to 30 feet tall. Regulations do not require clearways at registered aerodromes.
Impact and Wreckage
The aircraft struck approximately 30-foot-tall aspen trees in the former clearway zone. Wreckage trail examination showed the aircraft descended in an extreme left-wing-low attitude, bounced at initial ground contact, and cartwheeled to an upright position. The trail was 151 feet long. No pre-impact discrepancies were identified in flight controls or engine teardown. Instrumentation was fire-damaged. Propeller chops indicated engine was producing power at impact. Throttle, propeller, mixture, and carburetor heat controls were recovered fully forward. Due to extensive destruction, it could not be conclusively determined if any pre-impact failure or malfunction contributed; none were identified. The right wing fuel tank survived.