TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 10 August 2022.
Collision with terrain
Stall and collision with terrain
Forest Protection Limited
Air Tractor, Inc. AT-802, C-GJJX
Popple Depot, New Brunswick
The occurrence
On , the Air Tractor, Inc. AT-802 aircraft (registration C-GJJX, serial number 802-0121) operated by Forest Protection Limited as Tanker 624 was conducting forest firefighting operations out of Miramichi Airport (CYCH), New Brunswick, with 1 crew member on board. At approximately 1553 Atlantic Daylight Time, the aircraft, while conducting the 4th bombing run of the day, impacted the hillside of a heavily wooded area of northern New Brunswick. The pilot sustained minor injuries. There was no post-impact fire; however, the aircraft was destroyed.
Media materials
News release
Aircraft configuration and illusions caused by steep terrain contributed to 2021 collision with terrain in New Brunswick
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys team of investigators to central New Brunswick following collision with terrain
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 12 August 2021 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to central New Brunswick following a collision with terrain involving an Air Tractor aircraft. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
A21A0024
Collision with terrain
Stall and collision with terrain
Forest Protection Limited
Air Tractor, Inc. AT-802, C-GJJX
Popple Depot, New Brunswick
Investigator-in-charge
Allan Chaulk joined the TSB’s Air Investigations Branch as a Senior Investigator, Atlantic Region, in March 2019. Allan also worked at the TSB from 1999 to 2010, where he participated in many investigations, including the Swiss Air MD-11 and Cougar S-92 occurrences.
Prior to that, he worked at Transport Canada in the Airworthiness Standards department in Moncton, New Brunswick, where he worked closely with the TSB in his role of Minister’s Observer to many investigations.
In addition to his aircraft maintenance engineer licence, Allan possesses a private pilot licence. During his time off he enjoys anything related to motorsports.
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.