What happened
A Piper PA-23, registration C-FDJZ, departed Causapscal Airport, Quebec, for a flight to Mascoular Airport, with a planned refueling stop at Mont-Joli. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules with a plan to fly over the clouds (VFR-OTT). At approximately 1225 EDT, the pilot notified the Mont-Joli Flight Service Station that he was climbing and 23 nautical miles from the airport. Shortly after, the pilot reported being inside a cloud layer. This was the final communication received from the aircraft.
Later that afternoon, a Canadian Forces helicopter located the wreckage approximately 22 nautical miles southeast of Mont-Joli. The impact, which occurred in a wooded area, resulted in four fatalities. The aircraft's descent was nearly vertical, having slid along a tree trunk immediately before hitting the ground.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the pilot's experience, and the prevailing meteorological conditions. Technical evaluations of the Piper PA-23 confirmed that the engines were producing power and no mechanical anomalies or control failures were identified. The aircraft had sufficient fuel for the flight.
Meteorological analysis revealed that while the weather at Mont-Joli appeared stable, the mountainous region near La Rédemption was experiencing the development of cumulonimbus clouds reaching 24,000 feet. Local reports and satellite imagery confirmed heavy snowfall and visibility as low as "snowy fog" in the area.
Investigators also analyzed radio communications, noting that the pilot's later transmissions showed signs of increased tension and workload, including leaving the microphone keyed for extended periods without speaking.
Findings
- The aircraft was in a stall at the time of impact.
- The pilot had limited experience in instrument flight, with only 15 hours of instrument time recorded.
- The pilot encountered deteriorating weather conditions, including convective clouds and heavy snow, while attempting to fly over the cloud layer.
- The pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation due to the lack of a visible horizon and insufficient instrument flight experience, leading to a loss of control.