Emergency forced landing of Piper Navajo in Calgary street

Casualties unknown • Calgary, Alberta, CA

A Piper Navajo experienced engine power loss and performed an emergency landing on a Calgary street during a flight from Medicine Hat.

What happened

In the early morning hours of 25 April 2018, a Piper Navajo PA-31-350 operated by Super T Aviation Academy was en route from Medicine Hat, Alberta, to Calgary, Alberta. Shortly before 6:00 am local time, after the crew had been cleared to land at Calgary International Airport, they noticed the right fuel boost pump light was illuminated.

Following this indication, both engines experienced surging, which resulted in a loss of power insufficient to sustain the aircraft's altitude. Because the crew could not reach a runway, they executed a forced landing on 36th Street NE, located approximately 2.8 nautical miles south of the Runway 35R threshold. During the landing sequence, the outer portion of the right wing struck a pole near the Trans-Canada Highway, resulting in the loss of about four feet of the wing structure. Additionally, the tips of the three blades on the left propeller were damaged after contacting a concrete structure. There were no injuries to the two pilots, four passengers, or anyone on the ground.

The investigation

The TSB conducted a Class 4 investigation into the incident, focusing on the sequence of events leading to the engine power loss and the subsequent impact with ground structures.

Probable cause

The aircraft experienced a loss of engine power following the activation of a fuel boost pump warning light, leading to an inability to maintain altitude and a subsequent forced landing.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2018-04-25 Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, C-FCWW accident near Calgary, Alberta, CA?

A Piper Navajo experienced engine power loss and performed an emergency landing on a Calgary street during a flight from Medicine Hat.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2018-04-25 involved a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, C-FCWW, operated by Super T Aviation, at Calgary, Alberta, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft experienced a loss of engine power following the activation of a fuel boost pump warning light, leading to an inability to maintain altitude and a subsequent forced landing.

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