The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 12 July 2017.
Collision with terrain
Cessna 182H, C-GKNZ
Parry Sound Area Municipal Airport, Ontario
The occurrence
On 09 November 2015, a privately registered Cessna 182H (registration C-GKNZ, serial number 182-56161) with 1 pilot and 1 passenger on board, departed from the Parry Sound Area Municipal Airport, Ontario, at 1917 Eastern Standard Time under night visual flight rules for a flight to Tillsonburg Airport, Ontario. Once airborne, the aircraft immediately started a right climbing turn for approximately 90° of heading, and then continued its turn for an additional 180° while descending before colliding with the terrain. The aircraft clipped trees in a nose-down attitude with a significant angle of bank to the right before striking the ground on a rocky downward slope. The 2 occupants were fatally injured and a post-impact fire destroyed most of the aircraft. The aircraft was equipped with an emergency locator transmitter, but it was not activated by impact forces. The accident occurred during the hours of darkness.
Media materials
News release
Risks of night flying in areas with limited lighting highlighted in November 2015 fatal collision with terrain near Parry Sound, Ontario
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators to the site of an aircraft accident near the Parry Sound airport, Ontario
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to the site of an accident involving a Cessna 182 near the Parry Sound airport, Ontario. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
A15O0188
Collision with terrain
Cessna 182H, C-GKNZ
Parry Sound Area Municipal Airport, Ontario
Investigator-in-charge
Mario Boulet has over 30 years of civil aviation experience. He joined the TSB in 2015 and is now a Regional Senior Investigator based out of Dorval, Quebec.
Before joining the TSB, Mr. Boulet worked during 8 years for Transport Canada as a civil aviation safety inspector after a career in the private sector for various approved maintenance organizations, aircraft manufacturers and airlines where he occupied positions from aircraft maintenance engineer to Person Responsible for Maintenance (PRM), including Minister Delegate for a major aircraft manufacturer.
Since 2006, Mr. Boulet also became an expert in the manufacturing and operation of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
Mr. Boulet holds an aircraft maintenance engineer license from Transport Canada and a private pilot license.
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- 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.
- 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.