TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 29 January 2025.
Loss of control and collision with water
Cooking Lake Aviation Academy Inc.
Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. DA20-C1, C-FRZG
Cooking Lake Aerodrome (CEZ3), Alberta, 20 NM E
The occurrence
On 11 August 2023, a Cooking Lake Aviation Academy Inc. Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. DA20-C1 aircraft (registration C-FRZG; serial number C0746) was conducting a flight from the Cooking Lake Aerodrome, Alberta. It was a training flight for a private pilot licence, with a flight instructor and student pilot on board.
While in the local training area, the aircraft collided with the surface of Beaverhill Lake, 20 nautical miles east of the Cooking Lake Aerodrome at 1806:43 Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). The aircraft came to rest in shallow water. There was no post-impact fire.
The 406 MHz emergency locator transmitter did not automatically activate upon impact.
Cooking Lake Aviation Academy Inc. activated its emergency response plan at 2000 MDT in response to the overdue flight and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton, Ontario, initiated search activities at 2100 MDT. The aircraft was found shortly after midnight MDT on 12 August 2023.
When first responders arrived at the accident site, the flight instructor was found dead and the student pilot was found seriously injured. The student pilot was transported to an Edmonton hospital and died 2 days later as a result of his injuries.
Investigation information
A23W0096
Loss of control and collision with water
Cooking Lake Aviation Academy Inc.
Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. DA20-C1, C-FRZG
Cooking Lake Aerodrome (CEZ3), Alberta, 20 NM E
Photos
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.