What happened
On the day of the accident, a Cessna 150H, registered C-FNLD, was performing a pleasure flight in the vicinity of Saint-Hubert, Quebec. The aircraft was transitioning into the left-hand circuit, specifically on the downwind leg for Runway 29 at Mascoumar Airport, with the intention of landing and coming to a stop.
Simultaneously, a Cessna 172M, registered C-GEYG, was operating on Runway 29. The aircraft had taken off to perform a series of touch-and-go maneuvers as part of a training flight following a left-hand circuit. While both aircraft were maneuvering in the circuit, a collision occurred in flight during the final approach leg for Runway 29. The impact caused both aircraft to crash onto a highway near an overpass adjacent to Mascouche Airport.
There were two people on board each aircraft. All four individuals sustained fatal injuries due to multiple traumatic injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the flight backgrounds of both crews. The pilot of C-GEYG was a flight instructor with over 2,500 flight hours, accompanied by a student pilot with approximately 21 flight hours. The instructor's objective was to review circuit exercises before the student attempted a solo flight. The pilot of C-FNLD held a private licence, had roughly 200 flight hours, and was accompanied by one passenger.
Medical examinations and autopsies were conducted in Montreal, confirming that the deaths resulted from severe, irreversible trauma. Toxicological analysis of the crews was performed, and all results were negative for controlled substances.
Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident, based on data from Mirabel Airport, showed visibility of 25 statute miles with broken cloud layers at 2,300 and 4,500 feet. Winds were recorded at seven knots from 280 degrees true, conditions which were considered suitable for the use of Runway 29.