Family-launched online fundraising campaigns previously identified Kirk Mealey, Adam Laser and Jacob Brown as three of the six men who died on board the privately registered aircraft.
The plane, a 1980 Piper PA-32, was registered to Mealey’s father, Willard Brent Mealey, according to an aircraft registration site. The aircraft was ferried to Canada from Europe in June 2023, said the report, published by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB). Though not by name, Mealey is identified as the pilot.
Though weather had been relatively clear around the Springbank Airport, historical radar data showed a “precipitation cell” moved through the Mount McGillivray area around the time of the crash.
Environment and Climate Change Canada concluded it was likely that cloud ceilings were lower than what was reported closer to Calgary and the Foothills area had variable weather conditions. While conditions were clear in Salmon Arm, TSB determined Mealey’s decision to leave “was likely shaped by the perception that the weather was improving from earlier that afternoon.”
A map provided by the TSB showed a relatively small area over Mount McGillivray that was covered by showers at the time of the accident.
TSB also concluded the decision to fly was driven several factors including the pilot not wanting to disappoint his passengers; the opportunity to fly a new aircraft; seemingly improved weather conditions; Mealey’s familiarity with the route; and pressure to arrive in Salmon Arm before night.
Upon encountering clouds and reduced visibility, Mealey decided to continue the flight “for unknown reasons,” TSB wrote. “(S)ubsequently, the aircraft collided with terrain.”
The six church-goers left at 8:47 p.m. that night. About 15 minutes into the flight, the plane collided with the northeast face of Mount McGillivray.
The wreckage fell from 200 to 400 feet from the collision site; the right wing, engine and upper fuselage were separated from the plane and found at different locations. There was a brief post-impact fire that damaged components of the aircraft, TSB said.
The plane’s remains were collected and reconstructed at TSB’s regional office in Edmonton. All major components were found; investigators noted the flaps and landing gear were in a retracted position, meaning the plan was cruising when it collided with the mountain.
That night, at about 11:40 p.m., a person who had the flight itinerary had not heard from the pilot or received confirmation the plane had reached Salmon Arm. They contacted the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria, B.C., which sent out a search-and-rescue team. The wreckage was found the next morning.
The transportation board also found Mealey had completed his six-month recency requirement but had not completed his 24-month requirement, both mandated recurrent training programs for pilots. Pilots who haven’t met the recency requirements aren’t allowed to use the privileges of their license until they’ve completed a training program.
The report found no obvious defects in the aircraft.
TSB investigations are initiated to improve transportation safety and not to assign criminal or civil liability. As a result of the investigation, the word said it’s not aware of any necessary safety actions following the accident.
— With files from Postmedia