Introduction
On the afternoon of an unspecified date in December 1994, a Bellanca 8GCBC Scout, registration C-GQIM, operated by the Central Region of the Department of National Defence (DND) under the Air Cadet Gliding Program, was conducting glider towing operations at Canadian Forces Detachment Mountain View, Ontario. The pilot, a 24-year-old Cadet Instructor Cadre Officer, was accompanied by a 17-year-old passenger, a staff cadet and glider pilot.
History of the Flight
The pilot conducted the last glider launch of the day from runway 24, towing a Schweizer 2-33A glider. After releasing the glider, the pilot returned to the aerodrome, performed a low approach to runway 06 at high power, and dropped the tow rope. The aircraft then entered a climbing right turn and proceeded to the southeast quadrant, where it completed steep turns and climbing turns at approximately 1,500 feet above ground level (agl).
Shortly thereafter, the aircraft was observed at about 1,200 feet agl, heading westbound north of the aerodrome, near two gliders in loose formation. The pilot advised the glider pilots of his intent to pass on their right. After overtaking, the aircraft entered a steep, climbing left turn. During this turn, the aircraft rolled abruptly to the right and entered a spin, then descended steeply and struck the ground in a near-vertical attitude. The accident occurred at 1630 eastern standard time.
Injuries and Damage
Both the pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. No other property damage occurred.
Aircraft Information
The Bellanca 8GCBC Scout was manufactured in 1977 with serial number 252-77. It was powered by an Avco Lycoming O-360-C2E engine and equipped with a McCauley propeller. Total airframe time was 5,747 hours. A calculated weight and balance, using an estimated fuel load, indicated a gross weight of 2,114 pounds and a centre of gravity of 18.74 inches aft of the datum, within the maximum allowable take-off weight of 2,150 pounds and aft centre of gravity limit of 19.2 inches.
The aircraft was owned by the Air Cadet League of Canada and operated by the DND under a lease agreement. However, the investigation revealed that the lease agreement had expired in 1984; subsequent renewals were not properly documented under current regulations, rendering the certificate of registration invalid.
Meteorological Information
The nearest reporting station, Canadian Forces Base Trenton, reported at 1630: sky 5,000 feet broken, ceiling 8,000 feet overcast, visibility 12 miles, temperature 5°C, dew point 4°C, wind 100° true at four knots, altimeter 30.12 inches of mercury. Similar conditions prevailed at the accident site.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a private pilot licence with night rating, had 615 total flying hours (87 on type), and was certified for glider towing. He had completed a tow-pilot conversion course in August 1993. Although he flew the aircraft on 19 June 1994, he did not participate in towing operations for 118 days until 15 October 1994, and subsequent operations until 3 December 1994. Records indicated he did not complete a required currency flight check during this period.
The passenger held a glider pilot licence and had 23 hours of flight experience. He was authorized as a glider familiarization pilot but was not permitted to fly in a tow aircraft during towing operations. The demonstration flight was not authorized under ACGP standards.
Findings and Probable Cause
The Board determined that the aircraft stalled during a steep, climbing left turn, which induced a spin at an altitude that precluded a successful recovery. Contributing to the accident were the increased longitudinal manoeuvrability because of the aft centre of gravity, and the increased stall speed caused by the pitching up of the aircraft and the bank angle.