Mid-air collision between two Cessna 185 aircraft near Nanoose Bay

Casualties unknown • Corilair Charters Ltd Cessna 185, C-GTNE, CA

Two float-equipped Cessna 185 aircraft collided in flight near Nanoose Bay, British Columbia, while conducting independent patrols.

What happened

On a morning in British Columbia, two float-equipped Cessna 185 aircraft were performing separate aerial patrols along the north-east coast of Vancouver Island. The first aircraft, C-GGBT, was conducting a private business flight to support local fishing vessels near Nanoose Bay. The second aircraft, C-GTNE, was operating a charter flight for Fisheries and Oceans Canada to monitor herring spawn and conduct gear counts.

At approximately 0948 Pacific standard time, the two aircraft collided in mid-air. The pilot of C-GTNE was initiating a left turn to land near a government boat at the Nanoose Bay wharf when the collision occurred. At that same moment, C-GTGGT was exiting Nanoose Bay in level flight at roughly 400 feet above ground level. While the pilot of C-GGBT observed the oncoming aircraft, there was not enough time to perform an evasive maneuver. The pilot of C-GTNE did not see the other aircraft before the impact.

Following the collision, both pilots maintained control of their respective aircraft. After establishing radio contact and assessing the damage, C-GGBT returned to land in Vancouver, while C-GTNE flew back to Campbell River. There were no injuries resulting from the event. The impact caused damage to the vertical fin and rudder of C-GGBT and damage to the left float's forward compartment on C-GTNE.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the circumstances leading to the mid-air contact, specifically examining the pilots' ability to maintain visual separation. Investigators found that both pilots were qualified and that no physiological or mechanical issues contributed to the accident. Both aircraft were utilizing enhanced conspicuity measures, such as strobe and pulsed landing lights.

Findings

  • The collision occurred because neither pilot saw the other aircraft in time to avoid the impact.
  • While both pilots were monitoring radio frequencies they deemed appropriate for their specific flight intentions and locations, they were not on a common frequency.
  • The use of different frequencies prevented the pilots from receiving any verbal traffic advisories that could have increased their awareness of the other aircraft.
  • Operating independent flights in the same area on different radio frequencies increased the inherent risks of visual flight operations.

Probable cause

The collision was caused by the failure of both pilots to visually detect the other aircraft in time to take evasive action, a risk heightened by the fact that the aircraft were operating on different radio frequencies, preventing mutual traffic advisories.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2004-03-12 Cessna 185, C-GGBT and accident near Corilair Charters Ltd Cessna 185, C-GTNE, CA?

Two float-equipped Cessna 185 aircraft collided in flight near Nanoose Bay, British Columbia, while conducting independent patrols.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2004-03-12 involved a Cessna 185, C-GGBT and, operated by Canadian Fishing Company, at Corilair Charters Ltd Cessna 185, C-GTNE, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collision was caused by the failure of both pilots to visually detect the other aircraft in time to take evasive action, a risk heightened by the fact that the aircraft were operating on different radio frequencies, preventing mutual traffic advisories.

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