Air transportation safety investigation A23P0063

TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 3 October 2024.

Table of contents

    Collision with water
    Privately registered
    Savannah (advanced ultralight), C-ISVG
    Simpson Lake, British Columbia

    View final report

    The occurrence

    On 25 June 2023, a privately registered amphibious Savannah ultralight aircraft was conducting a local flight from Chetwynd (CYCQ), British Columbia, with only the pilot on board. The aircraft was reported overdue at approximately 1715 Pacific Daylight Time and a search began. The aircraft was found approximately 35 nautical miles southwest of Chetwynd, near the shore of Simpson Lake, British Columbia, with substantial damage.

    The pilot was fatally injured. The RCMP responded.

    Media materials

    News release

    Investigation report: Fatal amphibious aircraft accident on Simpson Lake, British Columbia

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    A23P0063

    Collision with water
    Privately registered
    Savannah (advanced ultralight), C-ISVG
    Simpson Lake, British Columbia

      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.