Collision with terrain
Sasair Inc.
Cessna 337H, C-GZWF
Deer Lake Airport (CYDF), Newfoundland and Labrador, 35 NM WSW
The occurrence
On 09 August 2024, a Cessna 337H operated by Sasair Inc. was conducting a visual flight rules flight from Deer Lake Airport, Newfoundland and Labrador, to Sydney/J.A. Douglas McCurdy Airport, Nova Scotia, with 1 pilot and 3 passengers on board. The aircraft departed shortly after another company aircraft that was also heading to Nova Scotia.
After having travelled 35 nautical miles in a southwesterly direction, the aircraft changed its flight path to fly at a lower altitude in a valley. This manoeuvre resulted in a collision with the rising terrain at the end of the valley. The aircraft was destroyed. There was no post-impact fire. The emergency locator transmitter activated, and the second aircraft’s pilot immediately contacted CYDF authorities to report the accident.
One of the passengers was fatally injured while the pilot and the two other passengers were seriously injured. The TSB is investigating.
Media materials
Investigation information
A24A0054
Collision with terrain
Sasair Inc.
Cessna 337H, C-GZWF
Deer Lake Airport (CYDF), Newfoundland and Labrador, 35 NM WSW
Investigator-in-charge
Kristina Schoos has more than 15 years’ experience as a helicopter pilot with various 702 and 703 operators, during which she has accumulated more than 6000 hours’ flying time across the country on 6 different types of helicopters, including the Bell 206 and Aerospatiale AS350. In the course of her career, she has been responsible for flight and ground training and has worked as assistant chief-pilot. Ms. Schoos also holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
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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.