What happened
On 9 October 2021, a privately registered Cavalier SA102.5 (registration C-FBWF) was performing a local recreational flight departing from Lacombe Aerodrome, Alberta. The aircraft was carrying one pilot and one passenger at the time of the accident. While flying approximately 14 nautical miles east of the aerodrome, the aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall. This led to a left-hand spin that resulted in a collision with the ground. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, while the passenger suffered serious injuries. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft, though no fire occurred following the crash.
The investigation
Following the accident, investigators utilized the activation of a 406 MHz emergency locator transmitter and data from a satellite tracking device to locate the wreckage. The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading from the initial stall to the terrain impact.