What happened
On November 15, 2025, at roughly 10:57 EST, a mid-air collision occurred near the Cornwall Regional Airport in Ontario involving two aircraft operated by Cornwall Aviation (197 and Ltd. A Cessna 172N and a Piper PA-44-180 were involved in the impact.
Following the collision, the Cessna 172N, which was carrying a single pilot, entered an uncontrolled descent and struck terrain within a forested, swampy region. The impact destroyed the aircraft. While there was no fire following the crash, the aircraft's emergency locator transmitter (ELT) failed to emit a detectable signal. The pilot of the Cessna 172N sustained fatal injuries.
The Piper PA-44-180, carrying two occupants, suffered significant damage during the collision but remained under control. The crew of the Piper was able to perform a safe landing at the Cornwall Regional Airport.
The investigation
Investigators have completed initial examinations of both aircraft and have interviewed the pilots, eyewitnesses, first responders, aircraft owners, and regulatory officials. The TSB has also collected relevant maintenance, training, and operational records.
Using radar data, the TSB Laboratory reconstructed the flight paths of both aircraft. This reconstruction revealed that the two aircraft had crossed paths on multiple occasions prior to the actual collision. At the time of the accident, the area was being used for both visual and instrument flight training.
One of the aircraft was engaged in a flight test accompanied by an examiner. The investigation is currently looking into the coordination and planning of these simultaneous training and testing activities. Furthermore, investigators are reviewing the installation and activation of the Cessna 172N's ELT due to its failure to transmit a signal.
Findings
- Both aircraft were operated by the same flight training organization.
- The two aircraft crossed flight paths multiple times before the collision occurred.
- The investigation is examining training practices, airspace management, scheduling, and the effectiveness of traffic awareness and see-and-avoid procedures.