What happened
The incident occurred while the crew was conducting a training sortie departing from Cochrane. During the flight, the aircraft lost altitude and began flying at a low level. The machine subsequently collided with a cable stretched across the Bow River at an estimated height of 25 to 50 feet above the water surface.
Following the impact with the cable, the aircraft struck the river and was carried downstream by the current. It traveled approximately one hundred yards before coming to rest on the riverbank. The airframe was completely destroyed in the accident. Both individuals on board were killed immediately upon impact.
Findings
The official investigation determined that the pilot was engaged in unauthorized low flying at the time of the collision. This specific maneuver is identified as the primary factor leading to the fatal crash.