Occurrence
On a local sightseeing flight from Vermilion Aerodrome (CYVG), Alberta, a privately registered Morrisey (Shinn Engineering Inc.) 2150A (Varga) aircraft (registration C-GFHZ) departed at approximately 1145 Mountain Daylight Time with the pilot and one passenger on board. After about 40 minutes, the aircraft was returning to land. The pilot joined the mid-left-downwind leg for Runway 10 and attempted to land. For unknown reasons, this approach was discontinued, and the pilot conducted a go-around, rejoining the left-downwind leg for Runway 10. While turning from the base leg to final, the aircraft stalled. The left wing dropped, and the aircraft entered a spin to the left. The aircraft completed one and a half rotations before impacting the ground, coming to rest approximately 0.9 nautical miles northwest of the airport. All occupants were fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed, and there was a post-impact fire.
Aircraft Information
The Morrisey (Shinn Engineering Inc.) 2150A (Varga) is an all-metal, low-wing, fixed-gear, two-seat light aircraft with a tricycle undercarriage and dual-control sticks. It was equipped with a 160 hp Lycoming O-320-B2C engine. A review of the technical records showed that annual inspections had been performed as required, with the last annual inspection dated 28 December 2024. At that time, the engine had 963.0 hours, and the airframe had 2117.9 hours. The investigation calculated that the aircraft was likely below its maximum gross weight and the centre of gravity was within prescribed limits. No known deficiencies existed before the flight, and the post-accident examination revealed no defects with the flight control system; nothing was observed that would have prevented the engine from producing power. No flight-path data from GPS, radar, or ADS-B sources could be recovered.
Pilot Information
The owner/pilot held a private pilot licence – aeroplane issued on 08 May 2024, endorsed for single-engine landplanes, and a valid Category 3 medical certificate with no restrictions. The investigation could not determine the pilot’s total flight time or time on the occurrence aircraft because the journey log was destroyed by the post-impact fire.
Weather Information
The closest weather reporting station, Lloydminster Airport (CYLL), Alberta, 27 nautical miles east, issued a METAR at 1200 indicating winds from 50° true at 12 knots, gusting to 22 knots; visibility 12 statute miles in light rain; few clouds at 5000 feet AGL, overcast at 8000 feet AGL; temperature 10°C, dew point 5°C; altimeter 29.85 inches of mercury. A METAR at 1300 showed winds from 40° true at 15 knots, gusting to 26 knots; visibility 10 statute miles in light rain; few clouds at 5000 feet AGL, overcast at 7200 feet AGL; temperature, dew point, and altimeter unchanged.
Investigation
This was a class 5 investigation, limited to data collection for the modal database. The investigation is closed.