Background
Aircraft C-GBZG was one of four aircraft rented by a group of foreign tourists for a flying vacation in Canada. The aircraft departed Natashquan, Quebec, at 1839 UTC on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight to Stephenville, Newfoundland. The group had spent the previous night in Sept-Îles and stopped at Natashquan for refueling. Before departure from Sept-Îles, one pilot contacted the Flight Service Station (FSS) at approximately 1300 UTC for a weather briefing. The briefing indicated rain showers along the route with ceilings between 800 and 3,000 feet above ground level (agl), and a low pressure system moving northeasterly that could bring ceilings of 100 to 1,000 feet and visibilities of 1/4 to 3 miles in drizzle and fog. At the airport, the group organizer filed a flight plan and received a weather printout. The FSS specialist recommended calling for updated weather at Natashquan, but the group did not do so.
Flight History
The four aircraft departed Sept-Îles at 1600 UTC and arrived at Natashquan at 1741 UTC, where weather was sunny and warm. After refueling, they departed Natashquan at about 1839 UTC, following a route via the Cape Whittle non-directional beacon direct to Cow Head, Newfoundland. Each pilot carried a VFR navigation chart and a personal GPS. The aircraft crossed the Gulf of St. Lawrence at altitudes between 1,000 and 3,000 feet above sea level (asl), maintaining visual contact with each other. C-GBZG was the last in the group.
Accident Sequence
As the group approached the Newfoundland coast, increasing cloud formation made it difficult to maintain visual reference with the ground and other aircraft. The pilots discussed the changing weather but did not contact an FSS for updated information. About 30 miles west of St. Pauls Inlet, the pilot of C-GBZG made his last radio communication, responding to a remark from another group member on the common frequency. Ten miles from shore, the lead aircraft announced a descent. The group organizer, piloting the third aircraft, descended below 1,000 feet asl over St. Pauls Inlet and observed steeply rising terrain obscured by cloud. He turned right to a southerly heading, following the first two aircraft, and saw C-GBZG enter cloud on what appeared to be the en route heading at an altitude about 500 feet higher. He called the pilot to turn immediately but received no response. The aircraft struck rising terrain at about 1,100 feet asl at approximately 2010 UTC (1740 local time). The three occupants were fatally injured, and the aircraft was destroyed. The remaining three aircraft continued to within 33 miles of Stephenville but turned back due to low ceilings and returned to Natashquan.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the accident site and aircraft revealed no evidence of system failure; the aircraft was in controlled flight prior to impact. The pilot was licensed per Transport Canada regulations and had received extensive instrument flight training, though he was not instrument rated. He had previously entered instrument meteorological conditions during VFR flight. The weather at St. Pauls Inlet was not below VFR minimums, and the pilot should have had visual reference with the aircraft ahead and the ground. Pathological tests showed no pre-existing incapacitation. Toxicological testing detected alcohol in the pilot's blood, but the level could not be precisely determined due to possible effects of putrefaction and contamination. The report concluded that it is probable the pilot intentionally entered cloud, unaware of his proximity to rising terrain, and was descending to regain visual reference when the aircraft struck the ground.
Probable Cause
The investigation identified the cause as the pilot's failure to alter course to avoid entering cloud when encountering deteriorating weather, apparently being unaware of the high ground in his path, resulting in the aircraft striking terrain while in controlled flight.