What happened
On a morning flight from Sept-Îles Airport to Jean Lesage International Airport, a Cessna aircraft crashed into the side of Liguori Mountain, Quebec. The pilot, an experienced aviator with over 2,200 flying hours, departed Sept-Îles at 0742 EDT under visual flight rules (VFR). While the departure conditions were favorable, the flight path took the aircraft through areas with much more challenging weather.
At approximately 1005, an emergency locator transmitter signal was detected by search and rescue services in Trenton, Ontario. The aircraft was located at 1203 on the northwest side of the mountain, roughly 42 nautical miles northeast of the intended destination. The impact with trees at high speed resulted in one fatality. The aircraft's wings separated from the fuselage upon hitting trees that were over 100 feet tall, and the wreckage was left in a 400-foot swath.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical state, the pilot's medical history, and the meteorological conditions along the route. Examination of the wreckage showed no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction prior to the impact. The aircraft was within weight and balance limits, had sufficient fuel, and the altimeter setting was correct. A medical review of the pilot found no evidence of physiological factors or incapacitation contributing to the crash.
Meteorological analysis revealed that while the departure airport had clear visibility, the planned route was subject to an upper-level trough bringing low clouds, rain, and fog. Forecasts for areas like Baie-Comeau and Québec indicated much lower ceilings and reduced visibility. At the time of the accident, the cloud base was likely below 1,000 feet, and witnesses reported that the mountain was obscured by thick fog, with visibility near zero in some areas.
Findings
- The pilot did not request a weather briefing from the Sept-Îles Flight Service Station prior to departure.
- Weather conditions along the flight path were unfavorable for VFR operations.
- The pilot encountered adverse weather en route but chose to continue the flight.
- The mountain was obscured by fog at the time of the accident.
- The pilot continued visual flight in adverse weather conditions.
- The aircraft struck trees at high speed in a horizontal trajectory.