The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 3 May 2018.
Collision with terrain
Piper PA-23-250 Aztec, C-FIPK
Baldur, Manitoba, 5 nm E
The occurrence
On 15 December 2017, a privately operated Piper PA-23-250 aircraft was conducting a flight from Gillam, Manitoba, to a private aerodrome 5.2 nautical miles (nm) east of Baldur, also in Manitoba. The aircraft collided with terrain 0.36 nm southwest of the intended destination. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. There was no post-impact fire, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The TSB is investigating.
Media materials
News release
Investigation report: Collision with terrain near Baldur, Manitoba, December 2017
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators to an aircraft accident near Baldur, Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, 16 December 2017 - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators onsite of an aircraft accident near Baldur, Manitoba. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
A17C0147
Collision with terrain
Piper PA-23-250 Aztec, C-FIPK
Baldur, Manitoba, 5 nm E
Investigator-in-charge
Mr. Barrett joined the TSB in March 2010 as a Technical Investigator/Air in the Central Region office located in Winnipeg. He has over 40 years of maintenance experience on fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
Mr. Barrett holds an M1/M2 AME licence, and has held various positions maintaining numerous types of aircraft for operators in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. Before joining the TSB, he was an instructor for four years in the Aircraft Maintenance diploma and apprenticeship programs at Red River College, Stevenson Campus, in Winnipeg. Since joining the TSB, Mr. Barrett has participated in numerous TSB investigations.
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
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
- 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.