What happened
On the evening of 13 December 2011, a Cessna 177A, registered C-FEFQ, was conducting an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight from Wilkes-Barre Wyoming Valley Airport in Pennsylvania to Ottawa/Carp Airport in Ontario. Due to low visibility and ceilings at the intended destination, the pilot diverted to the alternate, Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, for an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to Runway 07.
While executing the approach in night instrument meteorological conditions, the aircraft began to deviate from the localizer. Although the tower controller notified the pilot of the deviation, the aircraft continued to drift north of the course. Shortly after receiving landing clearance, the aircraft deviated from the localizer a second time. Following a brief, unconfirmed transmission, the controller instructed the pilot to execute a go-around. The aircraft then entered a steep right turn and a rapid descent, striking power lines and impacting the ground approximately 1.9 nautical miles west of the runway threshold. The impact destroyed the aircraft, and both occupants were fatally injured.
The investigation
Investigators examined the flight history and the pilot's credentials, noting that the aircraft was properly maintained and certified. The investigation focused on human factors, as the pilot-in-command had demonstrated recent difficulties with ILS approaches and lacked currency in night-flying operations. Furthermore, the pilot had very little experience flying in actual instrument meteorological conditions, having primarily trained in simulators.
Findings
- The pilot lost control of the aircraft during an attempt to fly a precision approach at night in unfamiliar weather conditions.
- The pilot's decision to depart into forecast icing conditions, despite the aircraft not being certified for such environments, was a contributing factor.
- The pilot may have been influenced by "press-on-itis," a phenomenon where a pilot continues a flight despite deteriorating conditions due to fatigue or other commitments.
- A lack of recent experience in night and instrument conditions increased the risk of loss of control during the approach.