Key Takeaways
- A small plane crashed southwest of Nanaimo, B.C., on Vancouver Island, resulting in no survivors
- The plane, a Sealand Flight Cessna 172, was on a private flight and belonged to a flight training school based in Campbell River, B.C.
- The pilot, who was an employee of Sealand Flight, died in the crash
- The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating the incident and working with all parties to gather information
- The cause of the crash is currently unknown and an investigation is ongoing
Introduction to the Incident
A tragic incident occurred on Thursday when a small plane crashed in a wooded area near Nanaimo, B.C., on Vancouver Island. The plane, a Sealand Flight Cessna 172, was on a private flight and belonged to Sealand Flight Ltd., a flight training school based in Campbell River, B.C. The Nanaimo RCMP responded to reports of the crash at around 3 a.m. PT and found the plane in a large debris field. Unfortunately, there were no survivors, and the pilot, who was an employee of Sealand Flight, died in the crash.
Response and Investigation
The Nanaimo RCMP is currently investigating the incident, and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has confirmed that it is aware of the crash and is working with all parties to gather information. The TSB will be conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Sealand Flight Ltd. has released a statement expressing their devastation and condolences to the pilot’s family. The company’s president, Bill Alder, stated that "Aviation is a small community, and Sealand Flight is like a family. Our hearts go out to the pilot’s family during this incredibly difficult time." The Nanaimo Airport, which is located about eight kilometers from the crash site, has also released a statement saying that it is aware of the incident and is cooperating with the investigation.
Eyewitness Account
A neighbor who lives near the crash site, Tom Palmer, reported that he did not hear a loud bang or crash, but was awoken by a loud, rumbling noise around 3 a.m. He described the noise as sounding like a Harley Davidson or a truck without a muffler. Palmer did not think much of the noise at the time, but when he went to check out the scene later, around 7 a.m., he found the area marked off with police tape. He described the scene as "surreal" and said that the area was very misty, but he could make out debris including metal, pipes, and struts. Palmer noted that the area is usually very quiet, being located in a remote area near the mountains, a river, and lakes.
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
The crash is a tragic reminder of the risks involved in aviation, and the investigation will aim to determine the cause of the crash to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Nanaimo RCMP and the TSB will continue to work together to gather information and piece together the events leading up to the crash. Sealand Flight Ltd. will also be conducting its own investigation and will release additional details as they become known. The incident has sent shockwaves through the aviation community, and the thoughts of everyone are with the pilot’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. As the investigation continues, more information will become available, and the cause of the crash will be determined. For now, the community is left to mourn the loss of a life and to wonder what could have caused this tragic incident.
