DESROCHES (NEWS1130) – Pilot error is being blamed in a mid-air collision in the Fraser Valley last year that killed two people.

A report by the Transportation Safety Board into the crash says four Cessna 150s had been engaged in formation flying when one of the pilots lost sight of the pack, briefly locking with another plane.

When they broke free, one plane landed safely while the other crashed into a ditch off Lougheed Highway, east of Mission.

Bill Yearwood with the TSB says the pilots had a plan before take off, but didn’t take into account every risk.

“It requires a lot of skill and attention. Unfortunately this accident demonstrated that the plan was not complete,” he explains. “Without proper planning and training, there’s a high risk of collision and that’s made obvious [with this] unfortunate occurrence.”

The board has flagged a lack of regulations around casual formation flying as a danger, and Transport Canada is warning pilots about its hazards.