What happened
A Piper PA-32-260 departed from Stewart, British Columbia, for a scheduled sightseeing flight over local glaciers. The flight, intended to take a tour group over the mountains, departed at approximately 1330 PDT. When the aircraft failed to return at its scheduled time, search and rescue operations were initiated by the Department of National Defence.
Later that evening, investigators located the wreckage on the side of the Mackie glacier at an elevation of 6,500 feet. The impact was severe, resulting in 6 fatalities (the pilot and five passengers) and the total destruction of the aircraft. The wreckage showed the plane struck the snow-covered surface in a steep, nose-down attitude.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's mechanical condition, the pilot's experience, and the prevailing weather. Investigators examined the engine and flight controls, finding no evidence of mechanical failure or pre-impact malfunction. The aircraft's weight and center of gravity were determined to be within allowable limits for the flight.
Regarding the aircraft's operational status, investigators found that the plane was being operated using automotive fuel, which lacked the necessary supplemental type certificate for this model. Additionally, the aircraft's commercial registration process had not been finalized, and the journey log-book had not been updated for 48 days prior to the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft struck the glacier in a steep, nose-down attitude, apparently out of the pilot's control.
- It could not be determined the specific reason for the loss of control, though investigators noted that weather conditions in the area were capable of producing whiteout phenomena.
- The aircraft was being operated with unapproved automotive fuel.
- The aircraft was not yet registered for commercial operations.
- The pilot and passengers were not dressed with appropriate survival gear for the harsh glacial environment.