Transportation Safety Board investigators were scheduled to arrive Friday at Tofino’s Long Beach Airport as the investigation into a fatal plane crash there continues.
Two people died and a third was seriously injured in the crash of a six-seater Cessna 421 Golden Eagle early Thursday afternoon.
CHEK News reported that a friend and colleague had identified the pilot and passenger killed in the crash as two veterinarians from California who were returning from an annual fishing trip.
Tofino RCMP said they received a report about 12:50 p.m. that a plane had crashed on a runway at the airport.
“Information is limited at this time, but it appears that a small, six-seat aircraft may have suffered an engine fire during takeoff,” police said in a statement.
They said two occupants died at the scene and one was transported to hospital.
Preliminary reports indicate the crash involved a non-scheduled private aircraft, according to the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, which operates the airport.
B.C. Emergency Health Services said it responded with three ground ambulances, an air ambulance and a paramedic supervisor, with paramedics providing emergency medical treatment to one patient. The patient was taken to hospital via air ambulance in serious condition.
Derek Michaels was walking along Long Beach when he saw a small plane appearing to struggle after takeoff, making sharp turns with a plume of smoke trailing behind one of its engines.
He said it then took a nosedive and disappeared behind a tree line, before “a big puff of smoke” rose from where the plane appeared to go down.
“About 15 minutes later we heard the ambulance and fire trucks,” said Michaels, in Tofino for a vacation with his family. “I went in my truck and I drove up to the airport and that’s when I noticed that the plane was just in flames and there was people around and paramedics.”
Michaels said the plane flew “pretty low” over them, about 200 feet, before the aircraft seemingly tried to return to the airport.
He said the speed the plane went down was a surprise. ”I kind of thought something kind of happened because once you see something dive that fast and then you see the smoke … it’s not really a landing.”
Two of the runways remained open, with the third runway and taxiway closed until investigations are completed, the regional district said early Thursday evening.
The B.C. Coroners Service is also investigating, along with police.
“Our hearts go out to the families of those affected by this event,” said Daniel Sailland, the regional district’s chief operating officer.
“We are working closely with authorities to determine the cause of this incident and to provide support to those impacted.”
Tofino Mayor Dan Law issued a statement offering “deepest condolences” in the wake of the crash.
“I would also like to extend our gratitude to all the first responders who assisted with this incident, whose bravery, dedication and swift actions are deeply appreciated.”
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Tofino RCMP at 250-670-9612.
The airport, 11 kilometres southeast of Tofino, was built by the Department of National Defence during the Second World War and sees about 20,000 passengers annually, the regional district says on its website.
— With files from The Canadian Press
