Air transportation safety investigation A23O0091

The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 6 March 2024.

Table of contents

    Fuel exhaustion and collision with terrain
    Privately registered
    Cessna 150B, C-GFFG
    Alexandria Aerodrome, Ontario

    The occurrence

    On , a privately registered Cessna 150B aircraft was conducting circuits at the Alexandria Aerodrome, Ontario, with 2 pilots on board. Shortly after taking off, the aircraft experienced a partial loss of engine power. A 180-degree turn was then conducted, engine power was re-applied, and the aircraft began to climb again. Shortly afterwards, the engine power decreased considerably; the aircraft entered a steep right bank, followed by a steep nose down attitude and subsequent collision with terrain. The aircraft was destroyed.

    One person was fatally injured, and the other received serious injuries.


    Media materials

    News release

    2023-03-06

    Investigation report: Fatal aircraft collision with terrain at Alexandria Aerodrome, Ontario
    Read the news release

    Deployment notice

    2023-07-26

    TSB deploys a team of investigators following a small aircraft accident in Alexandria, Ontario

    Richmond Hill, Ontario, 26 July 2023 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to Alexandria, Ontario, following an accident involving a Cessna 150. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.


    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    A23O0091

    Fuel exhaustion and collision with terrain
    Privately registered
    Cessna 150B, C-GFFG
    Alexandria Aerodrome, Ontario

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    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

    1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.