Collision with terrain
Piper PA-12
Domain Lake, Ontario
The occurrence
On , a privately operated Piper PA-12 on floats, with a pilot and a passenger on board, was conducting a flight from an outpost camp at Domain Lake, Ontario, to another outpost camp at Optic Lake, Ontario. The aircraft was reported overdue at destination, and was found near the shore of Domain Lake the following day by another aircraft. The Piper PA-12 collided with terrain, and the accident caused a forest fire. Both occupants were fatally injured, and the aircraft was destroyed.
Media materials
News release
Investigation report: May 2019 collision with terrain
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deployed a team of investigators to the site of a small aircraft accident near Red Lake, Ontario
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has deployed a team of investigators to the site of a small aircraft accident that occurred near Red Lake, Ontario. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
A19C0053
Collision with terrain
Piper PA-12
Domain Lake, Ontario
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.