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Fatal Spin Accident at Montréal/Les Cèdres Aerodrome

Lac Saint-François, Quebec, CA

On July 18, 1998, a Cessna 152 C-GZLZ operated by Laurentide Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Lac Saint-François, Quebec, CA. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The rudder locked in a full left deflection during a practice spin, which could not be overcome by the crew. This summary draws on records from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).

Sourcesthe Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB)Primary reportUpdated 2026-10-18Data APIEditorial standards

A Cessna 152 crashed into Lac Saint-François during a training spin. The rudder jammed in full left deflection due to a missing return spring, killing the instructor.

Accident Overview and Sequence of Events On the morning of the accident, a flight instructor and a student pilot departed from runway 25 at Montréal/Les Cèdres Aerodrome in Quebec for a local training flight. The student was practicing spins and recoveries in a Cessna 152. After completing five spins to the right, the student initiated a sixth spin to the left at an altitude of 3,600 feet above sea level. The aircraft entered the spin normally, but after one and a half turns, the instructor requested a recovery. The student applied right rudder as instructed, but the rotation did not stop. The instructor took control and applied right rudder, full power, and full flaps, but the aircraft remained in a stabilized left spin. The aircraft eventually struck the surface of Lac Saint-François. The student pilot sustained serious injuries but evacuated through the right rear window. A nearby fisherman rescued the student, while the flight instructor did not evacuate and died in the accident.

Probable cause

The rudder locked in a full left deflection during a practice spin, which could not be overcome by the crew. The aircraft was released for flight with a rudder bar return spring missing, which, in combination with other factors, probably allowed the rudder to lock.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 18 Jul 1998 Cessna 152 C-GZLZ accident near Lac Saint-François, Quebec, CA?

A Cessna 152 crashed into Lac Saint-François during a training spin. The rudder jammed in full left deflection due to a missing return spring, killing the instructor.

Were there any fatalities in the 18 Jul 1998 Cessna 152 C-GZLZ accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 18 Jul 1998 involved a Cessna 152 C-GZLZ, operated by Laurentide Aviation, at Lac Saint-François, Quebec, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The rudder locked in a full left deflection during a practice spin, which could not be overcome by the crew. The aircraft was released for flight with a rudder bar return spring missing, which, in combination with other factors, probably allowed the rudder to lock.

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