The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 16 February 2023.
Collision with terrain
Privately registered
Cessna 172P, C-GGSN
Qualicum Beach Airport, British Columbia
The occurrence
On 24 July 2022, a privately registered Cessna 172P was conducting a visual flight rules flight from Victoria International Airport, British Columbia, to Qualicum Beach Airport, British Columbia, with only the pilot on board. As the aircraft neared the Qualicum Beach Airport from the southeast, the engine began to sputter and decelerated to approximately 1200 RPM. As the pilot opted to conduct an emergency landing, the aircraft briefly contacted the runway surface beyond the midpoint of the runway and then became airborne again. The pilot initiated a go-around and entered a steep right turn before the aircraft rapidly descended in a right bank and nose-down attitude and impacted terrain. The 406 MHz emergency locator transmitter activated and local emergency services arrived on the scene shortly after. The pilot received serious injuries and the aircraft was substantially damaged.
Media materials
News release
Investigation report: 2022 collision with terrain at Qualicum Beach Airport, British Columbia
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB is deploying a team of investigators following a collision with terrain of a privately registered Cessna 172P, in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia
Richmond, British Columbia, 25 July 2022 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators following a collision with terrain involving a privately registered Cessna 172P aircraft, in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, that occurred yesterday. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
A22P0061
Collision with terrain
Privately registered
Cessna 172P, C-GGSN
Qualicum Beach Airport, British Columbia
Investigator-in-charge
Ryan Libech joined the TSB’s Air Investigations Branch in 2020 after having spent 18 years in private sector helicopter maintenance and production management, notably working on BK117, Airbus EC120/130, Bell 206/407, and Agusta A109 helicopters, in emergency medical service, private and utility environments. He was also a maintenance lead for international helicopter deployment in the Middle East, and worked periodically as an instructor for professional maintenance training. The majority of his expertise is in aircraft maintenance and operations. Mr. Libech has a diploma in aircraft maintenance engineers technology from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary, Alberta.
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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.