On Thursday afternoon, two individuals were rescued from a small aircraft that crashed into a tree near Ottawa International Airport. The incident took place shortly before 6 p.m., prompting emergency crews to respond swiftly to the scene. After hours of recovery efforts, authorities were still working to extract a third occupant from the wrecked plane.
Nic Defalco, a spokesperson for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, addressed reporters on-site, revealing that the aircraft was undergoing a "forced approach" to the airport when it collided with power lines. This critical detail indicates that the plane was likely struggling to land properly when it met with disaster.
"Investigators are on-site," Defalco stated, "they’ll be interviewing witnesses, examining the site, and looking at the wreckage to see what they gather tonight." Their focus is on understanding the circumstances surrounding the crash and gathering evidence that could shed light on what went wrong.
Emergency medical services transported a man and a woman from the crash site to a local hospital. Fortunately, both were reported to be in stable condition. However, officials have not released details regarding the condition of the third occupant of the plane, which leaves uncertainty about their health status following the accident.
Krista Kealey, a spokesperson for the Ottawa International Airport Authority, confirmed that the airport's fire service had responded promptly to the crash along with firefighters from the city. She also emphasized that airport operations were not disrupted by the incident, reassured by the swift action taken by emergency crews. This factor is essential as it ensures continued safety and efficiency for the airport’s ongoing operations.
The aircraft involved in the incident has been identified as a privately registered Grumman AA-5A. This type of plane is known for being a small, four-seat general aviation aircraft, which can often be found in private use. As investigations advance, there will likely be a closer examination of the aircraft’s mechanical systems, pilot handling, and the possible causes leading to this unfortunate event.
The crash site is now a focal point for investigators as they piece together the events leading to the aircraft's mishap. With witness accounts also playing a crucial role, the Transportation Safety Board aims to compile comprehensive findings that will capture the full scope of the incident.
