What happened
In December 2019, a Piper PA-60-602P was conducting a private/pleasure flight from Eastern Sierra Regional Airport (KBIH) in Bishop, California, toward Nanaimo Airport (CYCD) in British Columbia. During the final stages of an instrument approach into Nanaimo, the aircraft struck terrain on Gabriola Island. The impact resulted in 3 fatalities.
The investigation
The TSB conducted a Class 4 investigation into the accident. The scope of this investigation was limited, focusing on the circumstances surrounding the collision with the terrain during the approach phase of the flight.