The Accident
On July 12, 2018, at an unspecified time, a Cessna A188B aircraft, operated by Clayton Air Service, was reported overdue by ground personnel. The aircraft was subsequently located in a wooded area approximately 8 nautical miles east of Carrot River, Saskatchewan. It had been engaged in a series of flights applying fungicide to a flax field east of Carrot River. The aircraft was en route to the operator's mobile operations base at Arborfield, Saskatchewan, when it collided with terrain and trees. The impact was followed by a post-impact fire that destroyed the aircraft.
Aftermath
The single occupant of the aircraft was fatally injured. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) initiated an investigation. This occurrence was classified as a Class 4 investigation, indicating a limited scope that does not include formal findings or recommendations. The investigation focused on gathering factual information about the event.
Investigation
As a Class 4 investigation, the TSB's work was constrained in depth. The final report, released on January 23, 2018, contained limited analysis and no findings or recommendations. The investigation was completed within the typical 220-day timeframe for such occurrences. The report confirmed the aircraft's destruction and the fatal injury to the pilot but did not assign a probable cause or contributing factors.