What happened
On 27 July 2020, a Cessna 140 was performing a visual flight rules flight in British Columbia. The aircraft, operated privately, was departing from an abandoned airstrip located at Stave Lake with the intention of flying to Pitt Meadows (CYPK). On board were two individuals: the pilot and a passenger-pilot.
As the aircraft began its takeoff roll, the pilot lost control of the plane. The aircraft veered off course, coming to a stop in the opposite direction of the intended takeoff path, where it ended up in an inverted position. The accident resulted in one fatality for the pilot, while the passenger-pilot suffered minor injuries. No fire occurred following the impact.
The investigation
The TSB conducted a Class 4 investigation into the event. The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the takeoff roll and the subsequent loss of control. The scope of the investigation was limited to the circumstances surrounding the departure from Stave Lake.