Aircraft Went Down Near Cochrane, Alberta

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) continues to advance its investigation into the accident involving a Tecnam P2006T aircraft operated by Mount Royal University, near Cochrane, Alberta.

A Tecnam P2006T twin-engine aircraft, operated by Mount Royal University departed CYBW at 1635 (Mountain Standard Time), during daylight hours. The aircraft climbed to 8000 feet above sea level and progressed to the northwest.

Thirty minutes after departure, the last radar return from the aircraft was recorded at 7900 feet above sea level. This last radar return was 0.13 nautical mile southeast of the accident site location. The aircraft struck terrain 32 nautical miles northwest of CYBW at approximately 1705 (Mountain Standard Time).

All of the major aircraft components were located at the accident site but were destroyed by impact forces and a post-impact fire.

The aircraft was not equipped with, nor was it required to carry, a Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) or a Flight Data Recorder (FDR).

The examination and documentation of the wreckage scene is complete and investigators have collected the data they needed from the accident site. The wreckage was removed and transported to the TSB facility in Edmonton, Alberta, for further analysis.

TSB has requested the aircraft's maintenance history, and has obtained most of the radar data and most of the Air Traffic Control audio. They report they are waiting for a few more files and are in the process of analyzing it.

With the conclusion of the Field Phase, the Examination and Analysis Phase begins. In the coming days and weeks, as part of its investigation process, the team will:

• Examine components such as the engines and propellers
• Send selected components to the TSB Laboratory in Ottawa, Ontario, for further analysis
• Gather additional information about weather conditions
• Gather information on air traffic control communications and radar information
• Examine aircraft maintenance records
• Examine pilot training, qualifications, proficiency records and medical history
• Continue interviews with the aircraft operator and other such witnesses
• Review operational policies and procedures
• Examine the regulatory requirements
• Reconstruct events to learn more about the accident sequence (i.e., to validate data, test hypotheses, and verify assumptions)

Investigations are complex and we take the time needed to complete a thorough investigation. However, should the investigation team uncover safety deficiencies that present an immediate risk, the Board will communicate them without delay.

Further, it is important not to draw conclusions or speculate as to causes at this time. There are often many factors that can contribute to an accident.

(Source: TSB news release. Image included in report)

FMI: TSB Report