What happened
On a local instructional flight departing St. John's International Airport, Newfoundland and Labrador, a Piper PA-28-140 (registration C-FYKS) began a series of maneuvers intended to practice engine-out, forced-landing glide techniques. After climbing to 2000 feet, the aircraft began a descent while performing several 9-degree turns. Radar data indicated the aircraft's ground speed fluctuated during this descent before the plane disappeared from radar at a low altitude and reappeared briefly before entering a tight left turn. The aircraft finally disappeared from radar at 1352:10, with its last known position coinciding with the crash site. The accident resulted in one fatality (the student pilot) and one serious injury (the instructor).
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, which showed the plane was being operated and maintained according to all regulations. The aircraft was not equipped with flight data or voice recorders. The investigation focused on the engine's performance and the environmental conditions at the time of the flight. While the instructor had a valid commercial license and significant experience, the instructor and student had not flown together previously.
At the time of the flight, the temperature was 2°C with a dew point of −3°C. While snow squalls arrived after the accident, there was no active snowfall at the time of the crash. The investigation also looked into the mechanics of the carburetor heat system and the potential for ice accumulation in the venturi during the low-power glide maneuver.
Findings
- The weather conditions were highly conducive to the formation of serious carburetor ice at any engine power setting.
- The aircraft's descent into a lower altitude due to a cloud ceiling likely restricted the time available for the training exercise.
- Carburetor icing is the most probable cause of the engine power loss, as there were no mechanical faults found with the engine or fuel supply.
- The aircraft's low-altitude flight pattern and the illumination of the stall warning light suggest the aircraft may have struck the ground following a stall caused by insufficient power.