What happened
On July 1996, a group of four aircraft, operated by foreign tourists on a flying vacation, departed Natashquan, Quebec, for Stephenville, Newfoundland. The aircraft, a C-GBZG, was the final plane in the formation. While the group had received a weather briefing earlier in Sept-Îles, they did not seek updated information after refueling at Natashquan.
As the formation approached the Newfoundland shoreline near St. Pauls Inlet, weather conditions began to deteriorate. The lead aircraft observed C-GBZG enter cloud cover while maintaining its original heading. Although the group organizer attempted to radio the pilot of C-SBZG with instructions to turn immediately, the pilot could not be reached. The aircraft subsequently struck rising terrain at approximately 1,100 feet above sea level. The impact resulted in 3 fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
Investigators examined the flight's progression and the weather conditions at the time of the accident. The group was flying under visual flight rules (VFR) and was unaccustomed to the rapidly changing weather patterns of the Canadian maritime region. While the pilot of C-GBZG was not instrument rated, he had undergone significant instrument training.
Technical examinations of the aircraft confirmed it was in controlled flight at the moment of impact and that all systems were functioning correctly. The aircraft's weight and balance were within approved limits, and maintenance records met all regulatory requirements. Investigators also noted that while alcohol was detected in the pilot's blood, the exact concentration could not be determined due to post-mortem factors.