Air transportation safety investigation A25P0149

Table of contents

    Collision with terrain after takeoff
    Privately registered
    Bushmaster Super 22 (amateur-built aircraft), C-GWNQ
    Lillooet Aerodrome (CYLI), British Columbia 

    The occurrence

    On 24 September 2025, a privately registered, amateur-built Bushmaster Super 22 aircraft departed Lillooet Aerodrome, British Columbia, on a recreational flight to Chilliwack Airport, British Columbia, with only the pilot on board.

    Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft levelled at about 300 feet above ground level and turned back towards the aerodrome. En route, the aircraft collided with trees and then terrain, coming to rest upside down. The pilot was fatally injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged; there was no post-impact fire. The TSB is investigating.

    Work completed as of October 2025

    The investigation has revealed the following to date:

    • The pilot was wearing a 5-point safety belt.
    • The aircraft fuel system reportedly had electrical and/or mechanical issues before departure.
    • Damage observed on the propeller is consistent with the engine producing low or no power at the time of impact.
    • Initial examinations found no anomalies with flight-control continuity.
    • The engine and propeller have been retained by the TSB for further examination.
    • The electronic flight displays have been sent to the TSB Engineering Laboratory in Ottawa, Ontario, for data retrieval and analysis.

    Media materials

    Deployment notice

    TSB is deploying a team of investigators following an aircraft accident in Lillooet, BC

    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.