Fatal Cessna 172 Crash at L'Isle-aux-Grues

Accident Overview and Flight History On April 20, 2011, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada released its final report regarding a fatal accident involving a Cessna 172, registration C-FEAR, serial number 17260105. The aircraft was rented from Sasair Inc. for a two-hour visual flight rules pleasure flight from Quebec City/Jean-Lesage International Airport to L'Isle-aux-Grues, Quebec. The flight carried the pilot and three passengers. The aircraft departed Quebec City at 1447 Eastern Daylight Time and was cleared to climb to 3,500 feet above sea level. At 1507, the aircraft began its descent and reported inbound to L'Isle-aux-Grues at 3,000 feet. The pilot entered the traffic pattern for runway 25, following the south shore of the island before proceeding to the downwind leg. At 1517, the aircraft disappeared from radar as it commenced its final approach at 900 feet above sea level, one nautical mile from the runway. At approximately 1518, the aircraft executed a touch-and-go landing on runway 25. During the climb-out, the aircraft halted its ascent and began flying at low altitude around the island. At 1522, a quarter of a mile south of the runway, the aircraft struck a pile of rocks and earth in a field, broke apart, and crashed into a ditch 255 feet from the initial impact point. The aircraft caught fire, and all four occupants died. The emergency locator transmitter activated on impact, and Canada Search and Rescue was notified within seconds.