Communiqués

TSB # A08/98

(For release 03 August 1998)

(Hull, Quebec) - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has concluded its investigation into the crash of a Cessna 180K on 10 August 1997 on the south slope of the valley running alongside the aux Mélèzes River in northern Quebec. As a result of this accident, the pilot, Jean-Claude Lauzon, and the passenger, Marie-Soleil Tougas, were fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed by the fire that started a few seconds after impact.

The accident occurred around 1330, about 100 nautical miles southwest of Kuujjuaq, Quebec, in a partially wooded area approximately half a mile south of the aux Mélèzes River. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were suitable for VFR flight, with moderate winds. After expressing his doubts regarding the suitability of the water landing area, the pilot completed a go-around in the valley, then turned left onto the crosswind leg to make a reconnaissance circuit about 450 feet above the river and 450 feet below the ridge of the valley. Since the aircraft was nearly in level flight, it closed rapidly with the rising terrain. The aircraft cut several trees over a distance of 50 feet before striking the ground.

It was determined that the pilot was certified and qualified for the flight in accordance with existing regulations. Based on the autopsy and toxicology testing, there was no indication that incapacitation affected the pilot's performance. The weight and centre of gravity of the aircraft were within the prescribed limits. There was no indication of any pre-impact airframe or flight controls failures, or of any engine malfunction. The damage attributable to the impact and the nose-down attitude of the wreck are consistent with a loss of control following a low-altitude stall.

The TSB did not determine the cause of the accident. An unexplained distraction and/or the effects of an optical illusion may have contributed to distracting the pilot's attention from flying the circuit. The conditions associated with the accident were conducive to optical illusions which can result from flying at low altitude over rising terrain.

To increase pilot awareness of this optical illusion, Transport Canada will be publishing an article on the hazards associated with these conditions (and with flying over mountainous terrain), in a future issue of its Aviation Safety Letter.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is an independent agency operating under its own Act of Parliament. 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.

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