Two planes from a pair of flight schools crashed in mid-air over an area near the city of Chilliwack in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley.
Canada’s Transportation Safety Board is investigating. The board says in a statement that an investigation team is being deployed to the area near Chilliwack Airport after two Cessna 172 aircraft crashed into each other on Monday.
Garry Atkins with the Chilliwack Airport says one aircraft carrying two occupants safely landed at the airport. He says the second plane became submerged in a quarry lagoon and that one person was reported to be on board.
Aquila Aviation confirmed to CityNews that its plane landed safely after the collision. The Cessna had an instructor and student on board, the instructor noticed a plane coming too close from behind and took the controls from the student, pulling the plane upwards.
According to Aquila Aviation the Cessna “narrowly” avoided an even worse crash. Damage was found on the front nose wheel, including some minor rivets and fire wall issues.
The pilot school confirmed the instructor was the one who landed the plane.
The other plane, that belonged to Pacific Rim Aviation Academy ended up in the nearby lagoon.
In a statement to CityNews, the academy said it is cooperating wit the Transportation Safety Board’s investigation.
“Out of respect for everyone involved and while the investigation remains ongoing, we are unable to provide further comment. Our thoughts are with everyone affected,” the email reads.
BC Emergency Health Services says five ambulances were dispatched to an area of Wolfe Road and Schweyey Road, northwest of the airport, and that no patients were taken to hospital.
RCMP did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This is a developing story. More to come.
