Fatal Night Flight Accident Near Fort St. John

Casualties unknown • Fort St. John, British Columbia, 12 nm E, CA

A Cessna 185E crashed into terrain near Fort St. John, British Columbia, resulting in the death of the pilot during a night VFR flight.

What happened

On the evening of the accident, a Cessna 185E, registered C–FXJN, was performing a night visual flight rules (VFR) flight from Peace River Airport, Alberta, to Fort St. John Airport, British Columbia. The aircraft had completed several legs earlier in the day, including a trip to Fort Vermillion, before beginning its final approach toward Fort St. John.

During the flight, the pilot engaged in several minutes of mobile phone communications, including both voice calls and text messages. At approximately 1817 Mountain Standard Time, the aircraft struck trees 12 nautical miles east of the Fort St. John Airport. The impact caused the left wing strut to fail, leading to the separation of the left wing. The aircraft subsequently rolled and struck the ground, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and one fatality.

The investigation

Investigators examined the wreckage, which was located in a field of scrub brush and aspen trees. The investigation established that the aircraft's left wing strut had been struck by a tree, causing the wing to detach from the fuselage. The wreckage showed that the engine was producing 2400 rpm at the time of impact and the fuel valve was set to both tanks.

Technical analysis of a recovered GPS unit provided tracking data, though it could not be determined if the unit's terrain alerts were being utilized. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's recent flight history and the company's operational procedures. It was noted that while the aircraft was maintained according to regulations, the company's operations were officially limited to daytime VFR, yet this flight was being conducted at night.

Findings

  • The pilot descended to an altitude that was too low, or was unaware of the decreasing altitude, leading to controlled flight into terrain.
  • The pilot's attention may have been diverted by non-essential cell phone communications during the flight, which can impair situational awareness.
  • The flight took place over dark, featureless terrain, potentially creating a "black-hole effect" where the lack of visual references makes it difficult to perceive the aircraft's actual height above the ground.
  • The lack of cockpit voice or flight data recorders prevented a more detailed analysis of the final moments of the flight.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the pilot flying the aircraft into the terrain, likely due to a loss of situational awareness during a night approach. This may have been exacerbated by distractions from mobile phone use and the lack of visual references over dark terrain.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2011-11-30 Cessna 185E C–FXJN accident near Fort St. John, British Columbia, 12 nm E, CA?

A Cessna 185E crashed into terrain near Fort St. John, British Columbia, resulting in the death of the pilot during a night VFR flight.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2011-11-30 involved a Cessna 185E C–FXJN, operated by Trek Aerial Surveys, at Fort St. John, British Columbia, 12 nm E, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot flying the aircraft into the terrain, likely due to a loss of situational awareness during a night approach. This may have been exacerbated by distractions from mobile phone use and the lack of visual references over dark terrain.

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