What happened
On the evening of the accident, a Piper PA-31-350, registered as C-GNIE, was performing a scheduled instrument flight rules mail delivery from Rouyn Airport to Val-d'Or Airport. Around 18:45, after reviewing the weather conditions at the destination, the pilot opted to execute a visual approach toward runway 36.
During the descent, the pilot communicated via radio that the aircraft was two miles from the runway on final approach. Shortly after this transmission, the pilot indicated an intention to restart the approach sequence because visual contact with the runway had been momentarily lost. This communication served as the final radio contact from the aircraft, and no signal from the emergency locator transmitter was detected by the flight service station.
Following the loss of contact, emergency protocols were activated, leading to a search operation. Approximately three hours later, search and rescue personnel located the wreckage roughly two miles southeast of the runway 36 threshold. The impact left the aircraft with substantial damage, and the pilot sustained serious injuries.
Findings
- The pilot attempted a visual approach despite losing sight of the runway.
- The aircraft was located significantly past the end of the runway after the approach was interrupted.