Saturday, June 27, 2026
ADVT 
National

Snowbird jets take off from B.C. after grounding

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Sep, 2020 10:18 PM
  • Snowbird jets take off from B.C. after grounding

A pair of Snowbird jets took off from Kamloops, B.C., Tuesday, more than three months after a fatal crash near the city's airport.

The jets were given approval last week to head to their home base in Moose Jaw, Sask., after being grounded because of the crash on May 17.

Capt. Jennifer Casey, the team's public affairs officer, was killed, while pilot Capt. Richard MacDougall was seriously hurt.

It's believed the plane went down shortly after hitting a bird while taking off from the airport, crashing in a Kamloops neighbourhood.

Lt.-Col. Denis Bandet, the Snowbirds' commanding officer, says the team intends to return to Kamloops next week to get the rest of the planes.

Bandet says the Snowbirds will be forever grateful to the residents of Kamloops for their support during a difficult time.

He says MacDougall is recovering from his injuries and getting the best care from the medical staff at 15 Wing in Moose Jaw.

When the Royal Canadian Air Force announced the Tutor jets were allowed back into the air on Aug. 24, it also said there would be new restrictions for the aerobatics team.

The crash in May was the second in less than eight months and came after another jet went down in Georgia last October. A report released in June said a parachute became tangled in the ejection seat, leaving the pilot with minor injuries.

Similar concerns were raised by investigators in the May crash, which remains under investigation.

Col. Ron Walker, commander of 15 Wing Moose Jaw, said last week that next season will look different for spectators, with new restrictions on the jets' minimum flying height and speed.

MORE National ARTICLES

Joshua Boyle, Accused Of Assault, Says He Tried To Build Wife's Self-Esteem

Former hostage Joshua Boyle, accused of assaulting wife Caitlan Coleman, denies he told her how to dress, limited her contact with other men or generally belittled her during their sometimes fractious courtship

Joshua Boyle, Accused Of Assault, Says He Tried To Build Wife's Self-Esteem

Health Canada Eyes Private-sector Cash To Fund Opioids Solution

Health Canada is hoping to use private-sector dollars to fight opioid addiction because "conventional efforts are not enough" to address the national health crisis, newly released documents reveal.

Health Canada Eyes Private-sector Cash To Fund Opioids Solution

NDP Ended 2018 With Nearly $4.5 Million In Negative Net Assets, Return Shows

The federal New Democrats ended last year by going deeper into the red.

NDP Ended 2018 With Nearly $4.5 Million In Negative Net Assets, Return Shows

Father Of Suspected B.C. Killer Watches Clip Of Video Taken Before Son's Death

The father of a man suspected of killing three people in northern British Columbia has watched part of a video that has been described as his son's "last will and testament."

Father Of Suspected B.C. Killer Watches Clip Of Video Taken Before Son's Death

Hurricane Watch In Parts Of Atlantic Canada As Dorian Moves Up U.S. East Coast

Hurricane Dorian was on a northeast track off the U.S. east coast Friday as people in Atlantic Canada braced for the massive storm's arrival.

Hurricane Watch In Parts Of Atlantic Canada As Dorian Moves Up U.S. East Coast

Stay Away From New West Man Targeted In Fraser Heights Shootings: RCMP

Surrey RCMP is updating the public on the investigation of a shooting which injured two men in the Fraser Heights Area, on September 3, 2019.    

Stay Away From New West Man Targeted In Fraser Heights Shootings: RCMP