What happened
The incident occurred during a local training exercise conducted by the 7th SFTS out of Fort McLeod. The crew was on a night flight when weather conditions deteriorated significantly. Heavy rain reduced visibility, making it difficult for the aircraft to localize the airport. While navigating in these poor conditions, the airplane struck a hill located approximately 19 km southwest of Fort McLeod Airport. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft. All four individuals on board sustained injuries.
Findings
The official investigation identified several contributing factors to the accident. It was determined that the officer responsible for authorizing night flying should not have approved the sortie given the prevailing weather conditions. Additionally, a sudden storm disrupted local power supplies, which cut off station lights and further complicated navigation. The inquiry also cited poor airmanship on the part of the instructor as a key factor in the crash.