Fatal Controlled Flight into Terrain in Quebec involving PA-31

Casualties unknown • Gaspé, Quebec, CA

A chartered Piper PA-31-310 crashed into a hilltop near Gaspé, Quebec, resulting in three fatalities during an instrument approach in low visibility.

What happened

A PA-31-310, registration C-FARL, was operating a chartered flight from Îles-de-la-Madeleine to Gaspé, Quebec, carrying one pilot and two passengers. After completing the first leg of the trip, the aircraft departed Îles-de-la-Madeleine for the return to Gaspé. While en route, weather conditions at the destination deteriorated significantly, with fog reducing visibility to ¾ mile and a low ceiling of 500 feet.

During the approach, the pilot established contact with the Flight Service Station (FSS) and requested clearance for an instrument approach. The final radio transmission from the aircraft occurred at approximately 1857 EDT, when the pilot activated the aerodrome lights. The aircraft subsequently struck a hilltop approximately 1.2 nautical miles northeast of the airport at a high rate of speed. The impact was so severe that all three occupants were killed. The wreckage was located the following morning, though the emergency locator transmitter failed to activate because the battery disconnected upon impact.

The investigation

The TSB examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the pilot's experience, and the environmental conditions. The investigation confirmed the PA-31-310 was properly maintained and within weight and balance limits. The pilot was highly experienced, with over 3,000 hours on this specific type.

Investigators analyzed the navigation aids at Gaspé and found the localizer was functioning correctly, though signal interference is known to occur when flying more than 25 degrees off-course. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's workload, noting that the sudden change in weather and the need to configure the aircraft for an instrument approach occurred very close to the airport, leaving little time for preparation. Additionally, the aircraft lacked a ground proximity warning system (GPWS) or a radio altimeter.

Findings

  • The pilot descended to the minimum descent altitude (MDA) without being properly established on the localizer track.
  • The pilot continued the descent below the MDA without establishing the visual references necessary to continue the landing.
  • The pilot was a victim of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • A lack of weather updates during the flight contributed to the pilot's late realization of the deteriorating conditions.
  • The absence of a co-pilot increased the pilot's workload during a critical phase of flight where task sharing could have helped detect deviations from the approach profile.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the pilot descending below the minimum descent altitude without visual references and without being properly established on the localizer track, resulting in controlled flight into terrain.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2003-09-27 PA-31-310 C-FARL accident near Gaspé, Quebec, CA?

A chartered Piper PA-31-310 crashed into a hilltop near Gaspé, Quebec, resulting in three fatalities during an instrument approach in low visibility.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2003-09-27 involved a PA-31-310 C-FARL, operated by Les Ailes de Gaspé inc., at Gaspé, Quebec, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot descending below the minimum descent altitude without visual references and without being properly established on the localizer track, resulting in controlled flight into terrain.

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