What happened
On a mission for the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA), a Piper PA-28 (registration C-GHWH) departed Nelson, British Columbia, to locate a missing aircraft. The crew, which included a pilot, a navigator, and an observer, was conducting a search between Nelson and Cranbrook. At 1300 PDT, the pilot radioed that the search operations were proceeding normally. However, by 1340, a different search aircraft spotted smoke rising from the wreckage of C-GHWH on the slopes of Snowcrest Mountain. The impact and subsequent post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft, and the three fatalities were confirmed.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the wreckage located at a 5,800-foot elevation on a 35-degree slope. Investigators found that the aircraft had struck the ground at a low speed with a flat attitude. While a post-crash fire heavily damaged the cockpit, the engine and airframe showed no signs of mechanical failure prior to the accident. The propeller damage indicated the engine was producing power at the moment of impact.
Records showed the aircraft was properly maintained and within weight and balance limits. The pilot was fully qualified for the mission. Investigators noted that the pilot had previously indicated difficulty maintaining altitude while attempting to enter the assigned search area. Performance calculations at the site's density altitude suggested a reduced rate of climb and an increased turning radius for the aircraft.
Findings
- There was no evidence of any mechanical or system malfunction prior to the crash.
- The aircraft was operating at a high density altitude, which adversely affected the climb performance and turning radius.
- The aircraft entered an uncontrolled, stalled flight condition at a low altitude, though the specific reason for the stall could not be determined.
- Winds in the area were moderate to strong, with some reported updrafts.
Safety action
Following the accident, the British Columbia chapter of CASARA implemented a new requirement: any aircraft performing close contour searches in mountainous terrain must be equipped with engines providing a minimum of 200 horsepower.