(Photo courtesy Coun. Brett Langdon.)
At least one person was killed in the crash of a small plane near Deer Lake on Saturday.
The RCMP, Transportation Safety Board and Deer Lake airport issued news releases on the crash, although neither mentioned injuries nor indicated how many people may have been on board.
But the company that owned the plane, B.C.-based Kisik Geospatial and Aerial Survey, confirmed in a statement that the crash was fatal without releasing further details or identities.
“We are devastated and heartbroken by this loss,” reads the statement. “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the families of the deceased and their loved ones. No further details about the incident are available at this time. We will not be releasing the names of anyone involved with this incident. That information will be provided by the proper authorities. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and Kisik will support that investigation in any and every way possible.”
(Photo courtesy Tony MacIntyre.)
The crash occurred around 5:30 p.m. near the Trans-Canada Highway shortly after the Piper Navajo twin-engine plane went down.
Witnesses said they saw smoke coming from the plane before it crashed, and an even bigger plume following impact.
The highway was shut down in both directions as police and investigators worked to secure the scene. The highway and airport reopened to regular traffic a few hours after the crash.
The TSB said it is sending a team of investigators to the scene.
A Piper Navajo aircraft can carry between seven and 10 people.
VOCM News will have more details as they become available.