Air transportation safety investigation A23P0130

Table of contents

    Collision with terrain
    SkyQuest Aviation Ltd.
    Piper PA-34-200 Seneca
    Chilliwack Airport (CYCW), British Columbia

    The occurrence

    On 06 October 2023, the SkyQuest Aviation Ltd. Piper PA-34-200 Seneca aircraft departed Langley Regional Airport, British Columbia (BC), on a training flight with 1 instructor, 1 student and 1 passenger on board.

    After conducting some manoeuvring exercises and a circuit at Chilliwack Airport, BC, the aircraft initiated a missed approach exercise. During the manoeuvre, the airplane rolled to the right and continued to roll until it struck trees and terrain in a nose-down and inverted attitude.

    All 3 occupants were fatally injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged and there was no post-impact fire. The TSB deployed investigators to the site and is investigating.

    Media materials

    Deployment notice

    2023-10-06

    TSB deploys a team of investigators following a small aircraft accident near Chilliwack, British Columbia

    Richmond, British Columbia, 6 October 2023 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to Chilliwack, British Columbia, to investigate a small aircraft accident involving a Piper PA34. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    A23P0130

    Collision with terrain
    SkyQuest Aviation Ltd.
    Piper PA-34-200 Seneca
    Chilliwack Airport (CYCW), British Columbia

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    Class of investigation

    This is a class 4 investigation. These investigations are limited in scope, and while the final reports may contain limited analysis, they do not contain findings or recommendations. Class 4 investigations are generally completed within 220 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.

    TSB investigation process

    There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation

    1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
    2. Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
    3. Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.

    For more information, see our Investigation process page.

    The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.