1 fatality

Fatal aircraft accident during demonstration flight at Castlegar Airport (C-GHQZ)

Castlegar-West Kootenay, CanadaFlight

On July 25, 1978, a Grumman S-2 Tracker (registration C-GHQZ) operated by Conair Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Castlegar-West Kootenay, Canada in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the crash is currently undetermined. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 7 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-06-14Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered C-GHQZ
Aircraft registered C-GHQZ. Photo: Ken Fielding / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A single-engine aircraft crashed during a demonstration flight at Castlegar Airport, resulting in the death of the pilot.

What happened

During a scheduled demonstration flight at Castlegar Airport, an aircraft crashed under circumstances that remain undetermined. The aircraft was being operated by a single individual, acting as both pilot and passenger.

At the time of the impact, the pilot was the only person on board the plane. Following the crash, it was confirmed that the pilot sustained fatal injuries. No other occupants were present in the aircraft during the flight sequence.

Findings

The specific reasons for the loss of control or the descent of the aircraft have not yet been established, as the exact cause of the accident remains unknown.

Probable cause

The cause of the crash is currently undetermined.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 25 Jul 1978 Grumman S-2 Tracker accident near Castlegar-West Kootenay, Canada?

A single-engine aircraft crashed during a demonstration flight at Castlegar Airport, resulting in the death of the pilot.

Were there any fatalities in the 25 Jul 1978 Grumman S-2 Tracker accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 25 Jul 1978 involved a Grumman S-2 Tracker, registration C-GHQZ, operated by Conair Aviation, at Castlegar-West Kootenay, Canada.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The cause of the crash is currently undetermined.