The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 5 January 2018.
Collision with terrain
North American Aviation Inc. T28-B, C-GKKD
Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, Alberta
The occurrence
In July 2016, a North American Inc. T28-B aircraft, privately registered as C-GKKD, was taking part in an air show at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake (CYOD), Alberta. On July 17, the aircraft impacted terrain during an aerobatic routine, and the pilot was fatally injured. There was no post-impact fire and no injuries to airshow personnel or spectators. There was minor damage to airfield infrastructure.
Media materials
News release
Investigation brief: Accident during 2016 Cold Lake Air Show, Alberta
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators to the site of an aircraft accident in Cold Lake, Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, 17 July 2016 - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to the site of an aircraft accident in Cold Lake, Alberta. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
A16W0094
Collision with terrain
North American Aviation Inc. T28-B, C-GKKD
Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, Alberta
Investigator-in-charge
Fred Burow is a senior operations investigator with the TSB Western Regional Office in Edmonton. Mr. Burow has been with the TSB since January of 2013. Before joining the TSB, Mr. Burow worked at Transport Canada where he gained experience as an inspector for aerodrome safety, air carrier inspections and as a flight operations manager and training pilot for Transport Canada’s Aircraft Services Directorate. Besides extensive fixed-wing aircraft experience, Mr. Burow gained valuable rotary-wing experience with the Canadian Armed Forces 10 Tactical Air Group as a crew commander, flight safety officer, squadron standards officer and as a manager of flight operations at the Canadian Forces Flight Training School.
Photos
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.