What happened
On a flight from Brampton to Hamilton, Ontario, the pilot of a Piper PA-28-140 requested special visual flight rules clearance to land at Hamilton Airport. While holding over the bay due to existing traffic, the pilot contacted the tower at 1334 EST to report that an object had breached the aircraft windshield, severely obstructing his vision. During these subsequent radio transmissions, a loud, unusual background noise was audible to the controller.
For approximately six minutes, the tower controller attempted to assist the pilot by providing navigational headings and position updates. The pilot remained largely unresponsive, repeatedly stating that he could not see his instruments and was experiencing disorientation. Following a final radio transmission at 1340, the aircraft's flight path became erratic, tracing an S-pattern over Lake Ontario. At roughly 1345, the aircraft disappeared from radar approximately 14 miles northeast of Hamilton Airport. Despite an extensive search by air and ground teams, the aircraft and the 1 fatal occupant remain missing.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sudden loss of communication and the erratic flight path observed on radar. Investigators noted that the pilot was fully qualified and competent for the flight. The aircraft, which had over 9,400 hours of total time, was found to be properly maintained and within weight limits.
Witnesses on the ground observed the aircraft flying erratically as it moved over the water, though no one saw the plane strike the surface. The investigation also examined the change in radio audio quality, noting that the sudden presence of loud background noise coincided with the pilot's report of the windshield breach.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating under visual flight rules when the incident occurred.
- An unknown object penetrated the cockpit windshield, leading to the pilot's incapacitation.
- The sudden onset of loud noise during radio transmissions indicated the structural breach of the cockpit.
- The aircraft's disappearance from radar followed a period of erratic flight over Lake Ontario.