A Piper Aerostar PA-60-602P, similar to the one pictured, crashed near the northern coastline of Gabriola Island on December 10, 2019, killing three people. (Google Maps/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

PLANE CRASH

Coroners service confirms cause of death in 2019 Gabriola Island plane crash

May 10, 2021 | 4:11 PM

NANAIMO — A BC Coroners report has confirmed how three people aboard a plane which crashed on Gabriola Island died.

Allan and Katheryn Boudreau, both from Ladysmith, along with Alex Bahlsen were flying a multi-day journey from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to Nanaimo when their plane crashed in a wooded area of the island on Dec. 10, 2019.

The coroner deemed all three died of blunt force trauma as a result of the accident and were pronounced dead on scene.

Allan Boudreau and Bahlsen were listed as the pilot or co-pilot, while Margaret Boudreau was a passenger on board.

A report from the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) in July, 2020 found an attitude indicator failed while Boudreau and Bahlsen were attempting an instrument landing at Nanaimo airport.

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There was also doubt cast on the reliability of an electronic horizontal situation indicator, which failed twice in the weeks prior to the crash and was due to maintenance on Dec. 11.

The indicator, along with other components designed to aid in situational awareness, were too badly damaged in the crash for the TSB to determine whether they were working at the time.

Weather was also considered a factor with overcast skies and mist contributing to limited visibility.

Boudreau and Bahlsen were both experienced pilots, holding licenses for single engine and commercial aircraft respectively.

Bahlsen had accumulated over 13,000 of flight time and was a flight instructor.

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