The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 10 December 2020.
Loss of control and collision with terrain
Beechcraft Bonanza V35B, N3804X
Senneterre, Quebec, 7 NM NE
The occurrence
On , at 1555 Eastern Daylight Time, the Beechcraft Bonanza V35B aircraft (registration N3804X, serial number D-10358) departed Wittman Regional Airport, Wisconsin, United States, for a daytime visual flight rules flight to Danbury Municipal Airport, Connecticut, United States, with only the pilot on board. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft began to deviate north of the planned route and subsequently into Canadian airspace. At 1912, while in the vicinity of a line of rain showers, thunderstorms, and lightning, the aircraft entered a right turn, descended rapidly and collided with terrain approximately 7 nautical miles northeast of Senneterre, Quebec.
At 2331, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton, Ontario, was notified of a missing aircraft and initiated search and rescue operations. The accident site was found 4 days later, on 02 August 2019. The pilot was fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed. There was no post-impact fire. No signal was detected from the aircraft’s emergency locator transmitter.
Media materials
News release
Fatal collision with terrain highlights the risks of continued visual flight rules flights in adverse weather conditions
Read the news release
Investigation information
A19Q0128
Loss of control and collision with terrain
Beechcraft Bonanza V35B, N3804X
Senneterre, Quebec, 7 NM NE
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
- 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.