What happened
A Diamond DA-20-A1 Katana departed Gimli, Manitoba, on a planned visual flight rules (VFR) trip to Dauphin. The flight, which included a flight instructor and a student, was intended to fulfill cross-country requirements for a recreational pilot permit. While the weather at the departure and destination points appeared acceptable, the area forecast for the route had predicted low ceilings and reduced visibility due to mist, snow, and drizzle.
As the aircraft progressed westward, the weather deteriorated. Near the village of Vogar, witnesses observed the aircraft flying at a low altitude through broken cloud layers. A witness later reported hearing the engine pitch change, suggesting a maneuver, followed by a sharp sound resembling cracking ice. The aircraft subsequently struck the 12-inch-thick ice of Lake Manitoba in a nose-down, right-wing-low attitude at high speed. The impact destroyed the aircraft and caused two fatalities.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the weather reports available to the crew, and the flight training organization's safety protocols. Investigators found that the aircraft's engine was producing power at the time of impact and that no mechanical malfunctions were responsible for the crash. However, the aircraft was found to be slightly above its maximum allowable takeoff weight.
Regarding the weather, while the instructor had received a briefing for Gimli and Dauphin, the investigation noted that the area forecast—which warned of low ceilings and visibility—was not sufficiently emphasized in the flight planning process. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the training environment at the Interlake International Pilot Training Centre (IIPTC), noting that while the instructor was qualified, the organization's oversight of area forecasts was lacking.
Findings
- The instructor likely lost visual reference to the ground due to the combination of low cloud cover and near-whiteout conditions over the frozen lake.
- The pilot entered a maneuver from which recovery was impossible at the existing altitude.
- The instructor's decision to proceed with VFR flight into deteriorating weather conditions contributed to the accident.
- A lack of emphasis on reviewing area forecasts during the flight planning process at the training center was a contributing factor.
- The student's upcoming departure from the training center likely created pressure to complete the flight despite the weather.