Robert MacLeod, a veteran pilot known for his expertise in aerial firefighting, tragically lost his life in a plane crash while engaged in firefighting efforts in the Northwest Territories on June 24, 2026. His contributions to the aerial firefighting community over a career spanning more than 25 years were commemorated in a heartfelt tribute by Buffalo Airways, the company he worked for. This tribute was shared on their Facebook page with the consent of MacLeod's family.
The post detailed MacLeod's early career, highlighting his positions as a flight instructor, medevac captain, and training pilot. These roles helped him build a strong reputation as a patient mentor and a reliable teammate. Buffalo Airways emphasized his technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and commitment to continuous learning, traits that made him a trusted professional throughout his career.
MacLeod was operating a Turbo Commander 690 aircraft for Buffalo Airways when the crash occurred near Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, located west of Yellowknife. He was accompanied by two firefighters, Olivier Lamy and Ryan Beck, who held positions as an air attack officer and an air attack officer trainee. Tragically, all three individuals lost their lives in the incident. NWT Fire expressed their profound sorrow in an online post, stating that the loss felt throughout the wildfire community was a wound that could never be repaired. They acknowledged the courage displayed by all three men in their service to the territory.
The provincial fire service also paid tribute to MacLeod, stating, "Robert gave so much to aerial fire suppression, the aviation community, and to the people lucky enough to know him." They expressed their collective mourning alongside his family, friends, and colleagues at Buffalo Airways.
For the past three seasons, MacLeod had served as a bird dog captain with Buffalo Airways, working closely with both territorial and provincial wildfire agencies. Before his tenure there, he had experience as a bird dog and water bomber pilot in New Brunswick. Bird dog planes act as airborne command centers that coordinate firefighting operations, placing MacLeod at the forefront of Canada's wildfire suppression efforts, where his judgment and experience were highly valued.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is currently investigating the crash, revealing that the plane experienced an in-flight breakup prior to impacting the ground. Notably, significant components of the aircraft, including the left wing, horizontal stabilizer, and vertical stabilizer, were not found at the crash site, and attempts to locate these missing parts via aerial search proved unsuccessful.
In the aftermath of the crash, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency took precautionary measures by pulling three similar bird dog planes from wildfire missions. This decision highlights the potential safety concerns arising from the incident. Additionally, Fort Simpson had been under an evacuation order since June 28 due to an encroaching wildfire, further underscoring the dangerous conditions in the region.
