Collision with terrain
Precision West Ag Corporation
Ayres S2R-R1340, C-GPRO
Birsay, Saskatchewan
The occurrence
On 19 July 2024, an Ayres S2R-R1340 aircraft operated by Precision West Ag Corporation departed Rosetown Aerodrome, Saskatchewan, to conduct an aerial application flight over a field near Birsay, Saskatchewan.
After the first application pass of the field, the aircraft collided with the flat terrain, resulting in significant damage to the aircraft. There was no post-impact fire, and the emergency locator transmitter activated.
The pilot was fatally injured in the crash. The TSB is investigating.
Media materials
Investigation information
A24C0073
Collision with terrain
Precision West Ag Corporation
Ayres S2R-R1340, C-GPRO
Birsay, Saskatchewan
Investigator-in-charge
Mr. Vermette is the Manager, Central Region Operations for the TSB Air Investigation Branch and is based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He joined the TSB in 2014 and holds a current airline transport pilot’s license and has accumulated over 5000 hours of flight time on various jet and propeller aircraft.
Prior to joining the TSB, Mr. Vermette worked for over 13 years in civil aviation including experience as a training pilot and as a check pilot. He also has over 5 years of experience as Chief Pilot in CAR 703, 704 and 705 operations. Mr. Vermette has flown in all parts of Canada and the USA and has extensive medevac flying experience.
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
- 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.