Engine fire leads to Piper Seneca crash near Victoriaville

Casualties unknown • Victoriaville, Quebec, 2 nm E, CA

A training flight involving a Piper PA-34-200 ended in an emergency landing and crash near Victoriaville, Quebec, after an engine failure and subsequent fire.

What happened

On the evening of the accident, a Piper PA-34-200, registered C-GNAS, departed from the Trois-Rivières Airport in Quebec. The aircraft was conducting an instrument training flight with two pilots on board. While flying at 2100 feet during a missed approach to the Victoriaville Airport, the right engine suffered a catastrophic failure and ignited.

At 14:02 EDT, the pilot in training declared an emergency, reporting the engine fire and an intention to land. As the aircraft maneuvered, thick smoke began to fill the cockpit. In an effort to reach a field located approximately 2 nautical miles east of the Victoriafulville Airport, the aircraft turned back and began a rapid descent. The aircraft struck the ground and ended up in an inverted position. The crash resulted in two serious injuries.

The investigation

Following the accident, the TSB deployed a team to the site near Victoriaville to collect evidence and assess the circumstances. The investigation noted that the 406-MHz emergency locator transmitter was triggered upon impact. While a bystander reached the wreckage within minutes to assist the occupants, the local fire department arrived approximately 10 minutes after the occurrence.

Probable cause

A catastrophic failure of the right engine during a missed approach led to an in-flight fire and subsequent loss of control during an emergency descent.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2012-10-15 Nadeau Air Service Inc. accident near Victoriaville, Quebec, 2 nm E, CA?

A training flight involving a Piper PA-34-200 ended in an emergency landing and crash near Victoriaville, Quebec, after an engine failure and subsequent fire.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2012-10-15 involved a Nadeau Air Service Inc., operated by Piper PA-34-200, C-GNAS, at Victoriaville, Quebec, 2 nm E, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

A catastrophic failure of the right engine during a missed approach led to an in-flight fire and subsequent loss of control during an emergency descent.

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