What happened
On July 18, 2024, a Cessna 421C departed from Tofino/Long Beach Airport in British Columbia, bound for Portland International Airport in Oregon. The aircraft was carrying one pilot and two passengers. Shortly after the departure, the aircraft's right engine caught fire.
In an attempt to return to the airport, the aircraft struck terrain on the airport grounds. The impact was followed immediately by an explosion and a significant post-crash fire that destroyed the aircraft. While one passenger managed to escape through the rear left exit, the pilot and the second passenger sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
Investigators arrived at the crash site to examine the wreckage and the circumstances surrounding the engine failure. During the assessment, it was noted that the aircraft's emergency locator transmitter failed to activate following the collision.