CF Snowbirds plane crashes in Kamloops, B.C.
Posted May 17, 2020 12:23 pm.
Last Updated May 17, 2020 5:05 pm.
Editor’s note: One member of the CF Snowbirds died in this crash and another was seriously injured. The updated story is here.
KAMLOOPS — A Canadian Forces Snowbirds plane has crashed near Kamloops.
Some media reports suggest at least one person made it out of the crash alive. However, there are suggestions there may have been another person on board. Nothing has been confirmed.
“This is a developing situation,” an emailed statement from the Armed Forces reads. “Our number one priority at this time is determining the status of our personnel, the community and supporting emergency personnel. When appropriate, more information will be made available.”
The BC RCMP says the investigation is ongoing.
“This is a dynamic situation and we are unable to confirm status or injuries at this time. The RCMP will be working with other safety and regulatory agencies to determine the cause of the crash,” reads a statement.
The Kamloops Airport confirmed emergency crews were responding to the crash.
The #RCAF has been made aware that a Canadian Forces Snowbirds aircraft crashed in the vicinity of Kamloops, BC. Our priority at this time is determining the status of our personnel and supporting emergency personnel. When appropriate, more information will be made available.
— Royal Canadian Air Force (@RCAF_ARC) May 17, 2020
@CanadianForces also confirming @CFSnowbirds aircraft crashed in #Kamloops. Not saying anything about possible injuries or casualties. pic.twitter.com/OzwxIZ7rMQ
— Monika Gul (@MonikaGul) May 17, 2020
Late this morning @BC_EHS received multiple calls about a plane crash near the Kamloops airport. Paramedics and air ambulances were dispatched and one individual was transported to hospital. Our thoughts are with all affected during this difficult time.
— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) May 17, 2020
Meanwhile, witnesses said they saw a pilot eject from the plane as it was going down.
Videos posted to Twitter by people watching the Snowbirds fly-over show the moment the plane started descending. It shows two Snowbirds flying side-by-side before they separate. One of the planes makes a nosedive shortly after.
Operation Inspiration
Operation Inspiration started in Nova Scotia earlier this month and features the team’s signature nine-jet formation. It followed a similar initiative south of the border, where the U.S. military’s own flight demonstration teams have been flying in honour of front-line workers and first responders.
The CF Snowbirds were conducting a cross-country flyover amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to show a united front and support for Canadians amid the health crisis.
The CF Snowbirds’ scheduled start was delayed because of rain and low visibility on Sunday. Mike Trafford lives near the airport and says he saw the Snowbird doing a barrel roll late this morning followed by a “spark, and the pilot eject and the plane basically just took a nose dive straight down.”
Trafford says it was raining earlier this morning, but cloudy at the time of the crash.
About an hour before the crash, a tweet from the Snowbirds’ official account mentioned low cloud through the mountain passes and how this was a safety concern.
Don’t worry, the longer term forecast looks better and we plan to be back on our way home to Moose Jaw! Keep watching our page for updates and enjoy your Sunday! #opinspiration
— CF Snowbirds (@CFSnowbirds) May 17, 2020
-With files from The Canadian Press and David Zura
