Fatal terrain collision involving Grumman G44 near Stratford, Ontario

Casualties unknown • Stratford Municipal Airport, Ontario, 1.3 NM ENE, CA

A single-engine Grumman G44 crashed into terrain near Stratford Municipal Airport on August 23, 2022, resulting in the death of the pilot.

What happened

On August 23, 2022, a privately-owned Grumman G44 was performing a flight from Sarnia Airport, Ontario, to Stratford Municipal Airport, Ontario. The aircraft was operated by a single pilot, who was the only person on board during the flight.

As the aircraft approached the destination, witnesses located on a farm near the Stratford Municipal Airport observed the plane enter a cloud layer. Shortly after the aircraft disappeared into the clouds, it struck the ground. The impact was followed by a fire that destroyed the aircraft. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident.

The investigation

The TSB conducted a Class 4 investigation into the crash. This type of investigation is limited in scope and focuses on the immediate circumstances of the event. The investigation examined the flight path, the conditions at the time of the accident, and the impact with the terrain.

Probable cause

The aircraft collided with terrain shortly after entering clouds during its approach to Stratford Municipal Airport.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2022-08-23 Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. G44 (Widgeon), C-FNGD accident near Stratford Municipal Airport, Ontario, 1.3 NM ENE, CA?

A single-engine Grumman G44 crashed into terrain near Stratford Municipal Airport on August 23, 2022, resulting in the death of the pilot.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2022-08-23 involved a Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. G44 (Widgeon), C-FNGD, operated by Privately registered, at Stratford Municipal Airport, Ontario, 1.3 NM ENE, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft collided with terrain shortly after entering clouds during its approach to Stratford Municipal Airport.

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