What happened
On 14 June, a float-equipped Cessna A1SS5F departed from Lac Portneuf, Quebec, bound for Lac Sébastien. The flight, intended for a fishing trip, had already faced delays due to fog and rain on previous days. The pilot and two passengers were flying under visual flight rules (VFR) with a planned cruising altitude of 2,500 feet above sea level.
During the flight, witnesses near the Monts Valin heard an engine pass overhead followed by the sound of an impact. The aircraft had entered an area of thick fog where visibility was severely restricted. The aircraft struck the 2,500-foot level of a mountain on the east side of the range while flying in a straight-and-level manner. The impact and subsequent fire destroyed the aircraft, and the three fatalities were confirmed at the scene. The pilot and passengers were wearing seatbelts, but the force of the crash caused them to be thrown from the wreckage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the pilot's qualifications, and the meteorological conditions along the route. The Cessna A185F was found to be airworthy, with no evidence of engine failure, structural malfunction, or electrical issues prior to the crash. While the pilot had installed floats after the annual inspection, the installation was not documented in the technical logbook.
Investigators noted that the aircraft was equipped with a GPS but lacked a radio altimeter or a ground proximity warning system. The pilot's training and medical certification were in order, and toxicology reports were negative. The investigation also looked into the weather, noting that while conditions at the departure and arrival points were favorable, the mountainous terrain between the two lakes presented significant hazards due to low cloud ceilings and obscured peaks.
Findings
- The pilot chose to continue the flight despite encountering adverse weather conditions.
- The flight path took the aircraft over terrain with elevations higher than the cloud ceiling, and the pilot lacked current weather information for the specific route.
- In an effort to maintain visual flight conditions, the pilot likely deviated from the direct route, potentially attempting to follow power lines or stay within visible valleys.
- The pilot likely relied on GPS navigation rather than a navigation chart, which contributed to a loss of situational awareness regarding the surrounding topography.
- Due to the deteriorating visibility, the pilot probably lacked the necessary visual references to identify the mountain slope in time to avoid the collision.