Photo of the damage to the left windshield post caused by the collision with the cable (Photo: TSB)

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada on February 21 released its investigation report (A22Q0084) into a July 2022 fatal collision with a power line cable of a privately registered, float-equipped, Bellanca 7GCBC (Citabria) aircraft in Shawinigan, Quebec.

At approximately 2:30 pm on July 17, 2022, the privately registered, float-equipped, single-engine Bellanca 7GCBC aircraft (registration C-GOQZ, serial number 74174) took off for a local visual flight rules (VFR) flight from Trois-Rivières Airport (CYRQ), Quebec, to Shawinigan, Quebec.

The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) explains the purpose of the flight was for the pilot, who was alone on board, to position his aircraft on the Saint-Maurice River, near downtown Shawinigan, for the summer season. Given that the aircraft was not equipped with amphibious floats, TSB explains the departure from CYRQ was conducted by towing the aircraft on a trailer behind a pickup truck.

Less than an hour after departure, the aircraft was seen flying over the Saint-Maurice River, from west to east, in Shawinigan. Approximately 10 minutes later, the aircraft was seen flying over the river once again, near the same location, explains TSB, but this time it was flying from east to west at low altitude, until it collided with the lower cable of a power line, which was at a height of about 20 metres. After the impact, TSB explains the aircraft fell into the river in an inverted position. The pilot was fatally injured.