Fatal Stall and Spin in Alberta Canyon Destroyed Cessna 150G

Casualties unknown • CA

A flight from Airdrie to Nanaimo ended in a fatal crash when a Cessna 150G entered a box-end canyon, leaving the pilot unable to climb or turn around.

What happened

A flight originating in Airdrie, Alberta, destined for Nanaimo, British Columbia, ended in a fatal accident near Canmore, Alberta. The pilot of the Cessna 150G, registration C-FKMJ, had planned a route with a fuel stop in Kelowna. After departing Airdrie and communicating with the Springbank Flight Service Station, the aircraft disappeared from radar and communications.

Search and rescue teams located the wreckage the following morning in a narrow, box-end canyon approximately six miles north of Canmore. The aircraft was found at an elevation of 6,300 feet, surrounded by mountains reaching 9,000 feet. The impact was severe, resulting in two fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft. An emergency locator transmitter (ELT) played a vital role in the recovery of the wreckage.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making and navigation. Investigators examined the aircraft's wreckage, which showed a pattern consistent with a stall/spin during a high-power descent. While the pilot was a monocular flyer, medical evidence did not suggest his vision was a factor in the crash.

Analysis of the cockpit revealed that the pilot was carrying large-scale charts but lacked a detailed Calgary VFR map, which would have provided specific information regarding the mountain passes. Additionally, while the aircraft's engine and mechanical systems were generally functional, investigators noted that dirty and burned electrical contacts in the flap switch might have caused intermittent flap operation. The weather at the time of the accident was clear with good visibility.

Findings

  • The pilot entered a valley that led into a dead-end canyon.
  • The narrowness of the canyon walls made a 180-degree turn impossible.
  • The pilot failed to maintain sufficient airspeed while attempting to climb over the rising terrain, leading to an aerodynamic stall.
  • The absence of a detailed Calgary VFR map deprived the pilot of necessary topographical information.
  • The aircraft's impact pattern was consistent with a stall/spin event.

Probable cause

The pilot entered a box-end canyon at an altitude too low to permit a turnaround or a climb over the surrounding peaks, subsequently losing airspeed and stalling the aircraft while attempting to clear the terrain.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1994-08-28 Canmore, Alberta 6 nm N accident near CA?

A flight from Airdrie to Nanaimo ended in a fatal crash when a Cessna 150G entered a box-end canyon, leaving the pilot unable to climb or turn around.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1994-08-28 involved a Canmore, Alberta 6 nm N, operated by Cessna 150G C-FKMJ, at CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot entered a box-end canyon at an altitude too low to permit a turnaround or a climb over the surrounding peaks, subsequently losing airspeed and stalling the aircraft while attempting to clear the terrain.

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