Two experienced pilots, including Guelph entrepreneur Steve Zago, died Friday morning following a plane crash near Fergus, Ontario. The accident involved an amateur-built Skybolt biplane that went down during a training flight.
The Lost Aviator Coffee Co. legacy born from a grounded pandemic
Steve Zago and his business partner, Adam Wright, built a successful enterprise during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. as the global aviation sector faced unprecedented groundings, the duo pivoted their professional expertise toward the coffee industry. According to the report, they began roasting coffee in the basemet of With the Grain Bakery before eventually moving to a dedicated York Road location in 2021.
The partnership between Zago and Wright was defined by a unique synergy of personalities. While Wright described himself as an introvert, he noted that Zago was a natural extrovert who shaped the company's customer service and hiring culture. The business, which grew from an online presence to a physical café, was a direct result of the pair's ability to collaborate during a period of intense industry disruption.
A Skybolt biplane crash near Beatty Line and Wellington Road 17
The fatal aviation accident occurred Friday morning in a cornfield located north of Fergus, Ontario. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) reported that the aircraft, an amateur-built Skybolt biplane, departed Juergensen Field airport at approximately 10 a.m. for an aerobatic training session. Shortly after takeoff, the plane crashed into a field near the intersection of Beatty Line and Wellington Road 17, where it caught fire.
Emergency crews arrived at the scene shortly after the incident to extinguish the flames. Both occupants of the aircraft, including Zago and a second experienced pilot, were pronounced dead at the site. The TSB has since moved to secure the area to begin a formal investigation into the circumstances of the descent .
Tributes from Mayor Cam Guthrie and the Waterloo Warbirds
The Guelph community has responded to the tragedy with a wave of tributes honoring Zago's civic contributions. Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie described the entrepreneur as a positive influence who was widely loved across the city for his willingness to support other local businesses. Guthrie noted that Zago's mindset was "contagious" and that he frequently stepped up to help those in need.
The Waterloo Warbirds, a group Zago joined in 2017, also expressed profound heartbreak over the loss of a valued teammate. As reported by CTV News, Zago was instrumental to the organization, contributing to both flight operations and various aircraft restoration projects. His death has left a significant gap in both the local business community and the regional aviation circle.
The TSB’s investigation into the Skybolt’s final flight
Investigators are currently working to determine the specific cause of the Friday morning crash.. While the TSB has confirmed the aircraft was an amateur-built Skybolt, the exact mechanical or operational failure that led to the crash remains unverified. The agency has stated it will continue to gather and analyze data over the coming weeks .
Several questions remain regarding the nature of the flight at the time of the accident. Because Zago had recently purchased an aerobatic plane to pursue advanced lessons, the specific sequence of events during the training maneuver is still unknown. Until the TSB releases its findings, the community is left to mourn a man whose passion for flight ultimately led to this tragedy .
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