What happened
On 06 October 2023, a Piper PA-34-200 Seneca, operated by SkyQuest Aviation Ltd., departed from Langley Regional Airport, British Columbia, for a scheduled training flight. The aircraft was carrying three people: an instructor, a student, and one passenger.
After performing various maneuvering exercises and completing a circuit at Chilliwack Airport, the crew began a missed approach maneuver. During this phase of the flight, the aircraft experienced a right-wing roll. The roll continued until the aircraft impacted trees and the ground in an inverted, nose-down position.
The investigation
The TSB conducted a Class 4 investigation into the accident. The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading from the departure at Langley to the impact near Chilliwack, specifically examining the aircraft's behavior during the missed approach exercise.
Findings
- The impact resulted in 3 fatalities.
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage, though no fire occurred after the crash.
- The aircraft entered a right-wing roll that led to the loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.