This is the summary of a class 5 occurrence to which TSB investigators deployed. The investigation is now closed.
Collision with terrain
Zenair CH 701 L
Lac Malartic, Quebec
The occurrence
On , a privately operated, ski-equipped aircraft (C-ICMG) registered as a basic ultra-light Zenair CH 701 L airplane, was conducting a local flight under visual flight rules from Lac Malartic, located about 16 nautical miles northwest of Val-d’Or (CYVO), Quebec. After taking off at around 1320 Eastern Daylight Time, the pilot, who was the only person on board, flew over Chemin du Lac-Malartic at low altitude. The airplane then collided with terrain about 50 m east of Highway 117, at kilometre post 548. The post-impact fire partly destroyed the aircraft. The pilot was fatally injured.
According to Transport Canada records, the pilot’s medical certificate was not renewed in November 1994, and his private pilot’s licence had not been valid since that time.
Weather reports by Environment and Climate Change Canada indicated that conditions at the time of the accident were favourable for visual flight, with clear skies and light northerly winds.
The registration C-ICMG was marked on both sides of the aft fuselage. In the Transport Canada Canadian Civil Aircraft Register, this registration was assigned to a basic ultralight Zenair CH 701 L airplane at the time of the occurrence. However, inspection of the wreckage revealed that the occurrence aircraft was actually a modified Cessna 120 or 140.
The aircraft was equipped with a Lycoming 0320-E3D engine. The propeller, which had been purchased with the engine, was examined after the accident. It showed none of the characteristic signs associated with an impact while rotating, which suggests that the propeller was not rotating at the time of impact.
A cursory examination of the fuel filter by the TSB Engineering Laboratory in Ottawa, Ontario, revealed a large quantity of solid contaminants.
Media materials
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators to the site of an aircraft accident near Val-d’Or, Quebec
Dorval, Quebec, 30 March 2019 - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to the site of yesterday’s accident involving a Zenair ultralight aircraft near Val-d’Or, Quebec. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
A19Q0038
Collision with terrain
Zenair CH 701 L
Lac Malartic, Quebec
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
Class of investigation
This is a class 5 investigation. Class 5 investigations are limited to collecting data, which are then stored in the modal database. If TSB investigators deployed to the occurrence site, a short description of the occurrence is posted to the TSB website once the investigation has been completed. These investigations are generally completed within 90 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.