Air transportation safety investigation A21Q0052

Updated in March 2022 : This investigation is in the report phase.

Table of contents

    Collision with a lawn tractor during landing
    Nanchang CJ6A
    Saint-Esprit, Quebec

    The occurrence

    On , a privately-owned Nanchang CJ6A aircraft was on a recreational flight from Joliette to St-Esprit, Quebec. During the final phase of the landing, the aircraft's right wing struck an open-cabin lawn tractor on the runway. The pilot was able to maintain control of the aircraft which came to a stop in a cultivated field beside the runway. The operator of the lawn tractor was fatally injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged but the pilot was not injured.


    Media materials

    News release

    2022-03-10

    Investigation report: Collision with a lawn tractor
    Read the news release

    Deployment notice

    2021-07-05

    TSB deploys team to the site of a tractor / aircraft collision near Saint-Esprit, Quebec

    Dorval, Quebec, 5 July 2021 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators following a collision between a tractor and an aircraft at an aerodrome near Saint-Esprit, Quebec. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.


    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    A21Q0052

    Collision with a lawn tractor during landing
    Nanchang CJ6A
    Saint-Esprit, Quebec

      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

    1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.