Columbia Valley Pioneer staff
Columbia Valley RCMP confirm that a local resident and pilot died in a plane crash north of Brisco on November 24.
Sgt. Ed deJohn said police received a report at approximately 4 p.m. that a small plane went down on the Bugaboo alpine area of the valley.
“A hunter had observed the plane apparently having engine trouble, then go down in a wooded area,” deJong said.
Columbia Valley Search and Rescue, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, and Transport Canada were all advised and provided resources.
“On the morning of November 25, the crash site was located and it was discovered the pilot and lone occupant did not survive the impact,” the officer stated. “Our condolences go out to the family of the pilot who is a local area resident.”
deJong thanked the partner agencies involved in the search for the plane, noting that Transport Canada will be the lead investigating agency going forward.
Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) spokesperson Liam MacDonald told the Pioneer that a witness reported the crash on Friday, Nov. 24. The RCMP and search and rescue crews subsequently located the wreckage.
“We are currently gathering information and assessing the occurrence; however, we do not intend on deploying investigators to the site,” MacDonald said.
No further information is being released by the TSB at this time. Neither the RCMP nor the TSB is releasing the name of the deceased pilot.
