What happened
On 19 January 2017, a Cessna 172 operated by Victoria Flying Club was performing a training flight. The aircraft was occupied by one student pilot and one instructor. During the course of the flight, the aircraft struck power lines and subsequently crashed near the northern end of Runway 31 at Duncan Airport, British Columbia.
As a result of the impact, the instructor sustained serious injuries, while the student pilot suffered minor injuries.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the collision with the power lines and trees. Investigators examined the flight path and the circumstances surrounding the aircraft's approach to the Duncan Airport area.
Findings
The investigation established that operational factors and pilot decision-making were key contributors to the collision with the power lines and trees during the flight.