Accident Details
On the evening of the accident, MAG Aerospace Canada Corp. Flight BD160 was conducting a visual flight rules flight from Thunder Bay Airport, Ontario, to Dryden Regional Airport, Ontario. Only the pilot was on board. At 2109 Eastern Daylight Time, the aircraft began a takeoff on Runway 12. Shortly after rotation, the aircraft entered a left bank, continued to roll, and struck the surface of Runway 07 in an inverted attitude. The pilot was fatally injured, and the aircraft was destroyed by impact and a subsequent fire. The emergency locator transmitter activated upon impact.
Investigation Findings
The investigation identified that after takeoff from Runway 12, the pilot conducted a rapid, low-level, climbing steep turn, during which the aircraft entered an accelerated stall. This stall resulted in a loss of control and collision with the runway surface in an inverted orientation. The decision to perform such a maneuver was likely influenced by an altered perception of risk, stemming from previous similar takeoffs that had not led to adverse outcomes.
The investigation also noted risk factors: if air traffic controllers engage in communications that may be perceived by pilots as encouraging unusual flight maneuvers, pilots might perceive this as confirmation that such maneuvers are acceptable, increasing accident risk. Additionally, if NAV CANADA's reporting procedures lack specific criteria for situations where air traffic services personnel perceive unsafe flight maneuvers, there is a risk that these maneuvers will continue and result in an accident.
An examination revealed that most wires of the elevator trim cable had failed before impact due to excessive wear. However, this failure did not contribute to the occurrence because the trim tab remained in the normal takeoff position.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause includes two findings as to causes and contributing factors: 1. After takeoff from Runway 12 at Thunder Bay Airport, as the pilot conducted a rapid, low-level, climbing steep turn, the aircraft entered an accelerated stall that resulted in a loss of control and subsequent collision with the surface of Runway 07 in an inverted attitude. 2. The decision to conduct the rapid, low-level, climbing steep turn was likely influenced by an altered perception of risk from previous similar takeoffs that did not result in any adverse consequences.