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

Olympic Gold Medallist Sylvie Frechette To Run As Conservative In Quebec

OTTAWA - Olympic synchronized swimming gold medallist Sylvie Frechette says she is comfortable with the social conservative views of her new boss, Tory leader Andrew Scheer.

Olympic Gold Medallist Sylvie Frechette To Run As Conservative In Quebec

Canada Spending $15M On Amazon Wildfires

Canada is also reaching out to the government of Brazil to see what else it can do to help douse the flames, which Trudeau described as a symptom of an escalating climate crisis —

Canada Spending $15M On Amazon Wildfires

No 'Secret Agenda' On Carbon Tax: McKenna

Environment Minister Catherine McKenna says her government would take into consideration the views of provinces and territories on any change in the price of carbon tax.

No 'Secret Agenda' On Carbon Tax: McKenna

Federal Liberals Launch 'Choose Forward' As Election Campaign Slogan

OTTAWA - The federal Liberals have decided on a slogan they hope will resonate with voters and best represent their political brand as they roll out their campaign for the October election.    

Federal Liberals Launch 'Choose Forward' As Election Campaign Slogan

Maxime Bernier Blames Billboard Woes On 'Totalitarian Leftist Mob'

OTTAWA - Maxime Bernier is blaming a "totalitarian leftist mob" for the decision to take down billboards promoting his controversial stance on immigration.    

Maxime Bernier Blames Billboard Woes On 'Totalitarian Leftist Mob'

Scheer, Harper Among Politicians At Memorial For Calgary MP Deepak Obhrai

CALGARY - Some prominent Conservative politicians are paying their respects at a memorial for former Calgary member of Parliament Deepak Obhrai.    

Scheer, Harper Among Politicians At Memorial For Calgary MP Deepak Obhrai