What happened
On the day of the accident, a twin engine aircraft departed from Winnipeg Airport at 11:00 local time. The flight was being conducted by a crew of three, consisting of one instructor and two student pilots. During the flight, meteorological conditions deteriorated significantly, characterized by increasing fog, low cloud ceilings, and wind.
While the aircraft was attempting to return to its base, it was operating at an altitude of approximately 400 feet. During this phase of flight, the plane made contact with a steel guy wire attached to a communications tower. This impact caused the aircraft to lose control and collide with the 570-foot CBC Tower. Following the collision, the aircraft plummeted into a nearby snow-covered field, where it caught fire upon impact. The accident resulted in three fatalities, as all crew members on board were killed.
Findings
- Deteriorating weather conditions, including fog and low visibility, were present during the flight.
- The primary sequence of events was initiated by the aircraft striking a steel guy wire belonging to the tower structure.