What happened
On 10 December 2019, a private Piper Aerostar PA-60-6AT (registration C-FQYW) was conducting an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight from Bishop Airport, California, toward Nanaimo Airport, British Columbia. During the approach to Nanaimo, the pilot was informed of low visibility and a low ceiling at the destination. While being vectored toward the localizer for Runway 16, the pilot notified air traffic control of an unspecified failure.
Following this report, the aircraft began an uncontrolled turn to the right, climbing briefly before losing altitude and increasing speed. The pilot subsequently notified the controller that the aircraft's attitude indicator had failed. Despite receiving further heading instructions, the aircraft continued to descend while in a right-hand turn. The final radar contact occurred at 18:05:26, showing the aircraft at 300 feet above sea level. The aircraft subsequently struck a power pole and trees in a wooded area on Gabriola Island, breaking apart and catching fire. All 3 occupants on board sustained fatal injuries.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a critical loss of the attitude indicator during the approach phase.
- The aircraft's emergency locator transmitter failed to activate due to damage sustained during the impact.