What happened
On the morning of 12 August 2009, a Cessna 150J, registered C-GPXN, departed from a private grass airstrip in Courtland, Ontario. The pilot intended to conduct a short sightseeing flight toward Lake Erie. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft flew over the pilot's residence in a level flight at low altitude. Within minutes of departure, the aircraft struck the ground in a corn field located approximately one-half nautical mile south of the airstrip. The impact occurred in a steep nose-down and right-wing-low attitude, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and one fatality.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found that the aircraft had struck the ground at a 50-degree nose-down angle with a 40-degree right bank. The aircraft came to rest inverted. Analysis of the propeller showed damage consistent with the engine producing significant power at the moment of impact. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft had been maintained according to regulations and that there were no signs of mechanical failure or system malfunctions prior to the crash. The pilot's medical and physiological state showed no signs of impairment, and the aircraft's weight and center of gravity were estimated to be within limits.
Findings
- Weather conditions at the time included a low ceiling of 200 to 300 feet and patchy fog in the area.
- The pilot likely entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) after takeoff by overestimating the ceiling height and underestimating the fog.
- The primary cause of the accident was spatial disorientation resulting from the loss of visual ground references, which led to uncontrolled flight into the terrain.