The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 4 May 2023.
In-flight separation of left wing
Privately registered
Wag-Aero Sportsman 2+2
(amateur-built floatplane) C-FFDA
Rivière Bonnard Aerodrome, Quebec
13 NM WSW
The occurrence
On , a Wag-Aero Sportsman 2+2 seaplane, with the pilot and one passenger on board, took off from Onistagane Lake, in the Passes-Dangereuses territory, 6 nautical miles (NM) west of the Rivière-Bonnard aerodrome (CRB4), Quebec, on a local visual flight rules (VFR) flight.
While in flight, approximately 5 NM west of Onistagane Lake, the left wing of the seaplane broke off. It was followed by an uncontrolled descent before the seaplane struck terrain. Both occupants were fatally injured. The seaplane was destroyed by the force of the impact. No fire occurred.
Media materials
News release
Investigation report: Fatal amateur-built floatplane accident near Rivière Bonnard Aerodrome, Quebec
Read the news release
Investigation information
A22Q0116
In-flight separation of left wing
Privately registered
Wag-Aero Sportsman 2+2
(amateur-built floatplane) C-FFDA
Rivière Bonnard Aerodrome, Quebec
13 NM WSW
Investigator-in-charge
Simon St-Pierre joined the TSB team in 2019, and works as a regional senior investigator (Air) out of the Quebec regional office. Over the course of his career, Mr. St-Pierre has accumulated approximately 4500 hours of flight as pilot on different types of aircraft such as Beech C90A, Cessna 550, Jetstream 31 and multiple floatplanes. Since 2010, he has worked at Transport Canada as a Civil Aviation Safety Inspector and since 2014, he worked as a Technical Team Lead/Flight Operations.
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.