After an investigation of a fatal crop duster crash northeast of Arborfield, the Transportation Safety Board concluded it happened because the plane stalled.
The crash of the Cessna A188B AGtruck happened July 12.
“The aircraft struck the ground in a wooded area at a very shallow pitch angle with a high rate of vertical descent, likely in a left turn, and came to a rest facing a northwesterly direction.” the report, released Jan. 23, read. “The aircraft had little forward speed and did not leave a wreckage trail.”
Because of that damage, the board believes there was an aerodynamic stall, which occurs when the wing's angle of attack exceeds the critical angle, causing the smooth airflow begins to separate from the wing. The result of that is the wing doesn’t keep generate enough lift to support the aircraft.
The report said the torching of the ground around the crash site indicated a substantial amount of fuel on board. Tests of the fuel show it wasn’t contaminated.
“Due to the lack of witnesses and the lack of flight data information, as well as the level of destruction by the fire, the investigation could not determine the sequence of events prior to the aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain or the reasons why the aircraft experienced such a stall,” the report said.
The crash was discovered by a bystander, who heard a loud aircraft noise, smoke and an explosion. As the bystander approached the site, a second explosion happened. The aircraft's emergency locator transmitter was too damaged to activate.
Carrot River RCMP, EMS, and Fire Rescue responded at around 3:30 pm July 12. The pilot, who was the lone occupant of the plane, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The report said the plane was certified, equipped, and maintained in accordance with existing regulations and approved procedures, and the pilot was properly licensed and fit to fly.
