The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 16 May 2023.
Collision with obstacle
Airborne Energy Solutions Inc.
Cessna 172, C-GZLU
Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, 6 NM SSW
The occurrence
A Cessna 172 aircraft, operated by Airborne Energy Solutions, was conducting a pipeline inspection flight south of Shaunavon, Saskatchewan. The flight consisted of multiple legs to facilitate visual and electronic data collection of pipeline infrastructure, between Swift Current, Saskatchewan, and Estevan, Saskatchewan. At approximately 1015 Central Standard Time, approximately 6 nautical miles southwest of Shaunavon, the aircraft struck a communications tower. A 4-foot section of the aircraft’s right wing was shorn off. The aircraft entered a steep descent and collided with the ground approximately 640 m southeast of the tower. A post-impact fire ensued, which consumed most of the wreckage. The aircraft was destroyed, and the 2 crew members were fatally injured.
Media materials
News release
Investigation report: Fatal collision with a communications tower near Shaunavon, Saskatchewan
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deployed a team of investigators following an aircraft accident near Shaunavon, Saskatchewan
Winnipeg, Manitoba, 19 September 2022 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) deployed a team of investigators following yesterday’s aircraft accident near Shaunavon, Saskatchewan. The TSB is gathering information and assessing the occurrence.
Investigation information
A22C0082
Collision with obstacle
Airborne Energy Solutions Inc.
Cessna 172, C-GZLU
Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, 6 NM SSW
Investigator-in-charge
Ross Peden has 35 years of civil aviation experience. He joined the TSB in September 2001 as a Flight Operations investigator in the TSB central region office in Winnipeg Manitoba. Prior to joining the TSB, he worked as an airline pilot for different Canadian and foreign carriers, which included a 4 year stint in Sudan Africa and 3 years in Paris France. During that time, he flew different aircraft types, starting on small bush aircraft and eventually finishing commercial career on large jet aircraft. In 1996 he joined Transport Canada, as an Instrument procedures specialist, followed by a period with what was then called system safety.
Since joining the TSB, Mr. Peden has participated in several TSB investigations, including the 2005 Air France accident at Pearson Airport in Toronto.
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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.