National

Pilots safe as B.C. plane crashes in Australia

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Feb, 2023 04:56 PM

PORT ALBERNI, B.C. - A Boeing 737 air tanker owned by a British Columbia company has crashed in Western Australia while on deployment to a fire.

Coulson Aviation, based in Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, says in a statement that both pilots walked away from the accident and have been medically assessed.

The statement says the company is offering all the support it can to its local and international crews and is grateful to its firefighting and aviation industry colleagues in Australia.

Coulson announced last month that it had been awarded a contract to provide its Boeing 737 FireLiner, designated tanker 139, as Australia's new large air tanker.

At the time, the company said the state-of-the-art aircraft was capable of dropping more than 15,000 litres of retardant or water at flow rates of up to 11,000 litres per second.

While it's unclear what caused the crash, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. says the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau are conducting separate investigations into the crash.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Seven B.C. commercial poultry flocks have bird flu

Six of the farms are in Abbotsford and one is in Chilliwack, in the Fraser Valley, the same area where more than 17 million birds were culled in 2004 when avian flu swept through numerous farms. The ministry says producers within a 10-kilometre radius have been notified and all infected farms have been placed under quarantine by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Seven B.C. commercial poultry flocks have bird flu

Indecent act near Burnsview Secondary School: Delta Police

Via release, the suspect is described as a South Asian or dark-skinned male, 25-30 years old with a short beard, large nose, large lips, and approximately 5'8” to 6’ tall. He was wearing a black puffer jacket, red t-shirt, black jeans, black shoes, black toque with a brown bobble on top, and with Airpods in his ears.

Indecent act near Burnsview Secondary School: Delta Police

B.C. to bring in housing supply, rental changes

Premier David Eby, who was sworn in on Friday, says housing is one of the most critical issues that he will immediately address. The legislation includes provisions that allow the province to force municipal compliance, although the government says it doesn't expect that will be necessary for communities facing a housing crisis.

B.C. to bring in housing supply, rental changes

One dead, another hurt in B.C. mall shooting

Police say they were called to the mall Monday morning for a "serious police incident." Staff Sgt. Dave Uppal says that they know of the trauma this shooting will have on many people and supports are in place for those who may need help.

One dead, another hurt in B.C. mall shooting

Ex-mayor of Surrey, B.C., not guilty of mischief

McCallum said in brief remarks outside the courthouse Monday that he was “pleased with the decision.” He thanked his lawyers for “their tremendous efforts,” his family for “understanding and supporting me,” and the media for their “sensitivity” covering the case. “And to the people of Surrey, I love you. I love all of you,” he said.

Ex-mayor of Surrey, B.C., not guilty of mischief

VPD investigates after East Van diners robbed at gun-point

Two men with guns entered the restaurant, near Commercial Drive and Kitchener Street, at the height of Sunday brunch. They pointed the weapons at staff and patrons, ordering the victims to hand over cellular phones and other valuables, then fled in a vehicle.