Air transportation safety investigation A23W0096

Table of contents

    Collision with water
    Cooking Lake Aviation Academy
    Diamond DA20-C1, C-FRZG
    Edmonton/Cooking Lake Aerodrome, Alberta

    The occurrence

    On , the Cooking Lake Aviation Academy Diamond DA20-C1 aircraft was conducting a private flight from Edmonton/Cooking Lake Aerodrome, Alberta, with a flight instructor and a student on board.

    While in the vicinity of Beaverhill Lake, the aircraft collided with the surface of the lake, and came to rest in shallow water. The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) did not activate.

    The aircraft was declared missing and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton, Ontario, commenced search activities. The aircraft was found shortly after midnight.

    Both occupants were fatally injured. The TSB is investigating.

    Media materials

    Deployment notice

    2023-08-12

    TSB deploys a team of investigators following a small aircraft accident near Beaverhill Lake, Alberta

    Edmonton, Alberta, 12 August 2023 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to Beaverhill Lake, Alberta following a small aircraft accident that occurred yesterday. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    A23W0096

    Collision with water
    Cooking Lake Aviation Academy
    Diamond DA20-C1, C-FRZG
    Edmonton/Cooking Lake Aerodrome, Alberta

    Investigator-in-charge

    Image
    Photo of Mike Adam

    Mike Adam joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in early 2014, bringing with him extensive experience in aviation line maintenance and quality assurance for transport category air carriers. Mr. Adam also has experience with various single and twin engine aircraft, both piston and turbine powered, as well as amateur-built aircraft.

    Photos

    Image
    Aircraft reconstruction at TSB Edmonton office (Source: TSB)

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    Class of investigation

    This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 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.