What happened
On a local visual flight rules (VFR) flight departing from Brantford Airport, Ontario, a Cessna 172RG operated by the Brantford Flying Club crashed into terrain. The aircraft, which was being operated by a private pilot as the sole occupant, had initially flown west before returning to the airport to enter the circuit for runway 29.
While the pilot was on final approach, the left wing of the aircraft made contact with a tree. This impact caused the aircraft to yaw sharply to the left, leading it into a spin. The aircraft subsequently crashed in a field located near the airport. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. Following the impact, the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) activated, and no fire occurred at the crash site.
The investigation
The TSB conducted a Class 4 investigation into the event, focusing on the sequence of the flight and the impact with the tree. The investigation examined the flight path, the aircraft's behavior during the final approach, and the circumstances surrounding the collision with the obstacle.