Accident Overview
The Alta Flights Cessna 414A, registration C-GVZE, departed Cranbrook, British Columbia, at approximately 1910 mountain daylight time on a visual flight rules cargo flight to Calgary, Alberta. The aircraft disappeared from Calgary area radar at 1936 MDT at an indicated altitude of 9,000 feet above sea level in the Highwood Range mountains, approximately 49 nautical miles southwest of Calgary. Wreckage was found 40 hours later on a mountain ridge at 8,900 feet asl. The aircraft experienced a total break-up and a brief fireball at impact. The pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation identified findings as to causes and contributing factors. The pilot lost situational awareness, most likely believing he was over lower terrain. The aircraft was very likely flown into cloud during a day VFR flight, which prevented the pilot from seeing and avoiding the terrain.
Findings as to risk included that the aircraft was not required by regulation to have terrain avoidance equipment installed, leaving the pilot with no last defense for determining the aircraft's position relative to the terrain. This is described as a risk for all aircraft operated in similar conditions.
Other findings noted that the flight plan was prematurely closed by NAV CANADA, which caused an early stoppage of search and rescue activities and delayed the recommencement of those searches by two hours.
Probable Cause
The probable cause as stated in the official findings: The pilot lost situational awareness most likely believing he was over lower terrain, and the aircraft was very likely flown into cloud during a day VFR flight, which prevented the pilot from seeing and avoiding the terrain.