What happened
On July 1, 2002, a Cessna 172N, registered as C-GRIL, departed Boundary Bay Airport for a local pleasure flight. The aircraft was being operated by a pilot with limited experience on this specific model, carrying three passengers. During the takeoff roll on Runway 25, the aircraft's main wheels left the ground, but the nose immediately pitched up to an extreme angle.
As the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 100 to 150 feet, it entered a series of wing drops before striking the runway in a nose-down, right-wing-low attitude. The impact caused a fuel line to fracture, igniting a fire in the left cowling area, though the flames were suppressed by bystanders using portable extinguishers. The accident resulted in three fatalities—two passengers at the scene and one passenger who died in the hospital the following day—while the pilot sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the pilot's training, and the flight configuration. Investigators found that the aircraft was being operated significantly over its maximum allowable takeoff weight of 2,300 pounds; calculations indicated a takeoff weight of 2,589 pounds. Additionally, the elevator trim tab was found to be positioned halfway between the neutral takeoff setting and full nose-up.
Technical analysis revealed that the aircraft's stall warning horn was non-functional due to corrosion. Furthermore, the flaps were set at an inappropriate angle for the runway conditions, likely exceeding the 10-degree limit recommended for standard runways. The investigation also noted that the checklist used by the pilot, provided by the rental operator, lacked a specific step to verify the elevator trim position, unlike the manufacturer's recommended procedures.