Pilot dead after plane crashes in Nanaimo, RCMP says

There were no survivors after a plane crashed in Nanaimo early Thursday morning, the RCMP has confirmed to CityNews.

Police say they responded to reports of the crash in a wooded area near Twilight Way around 3 a.m.

Bill Alder, the president of Sealand Flight Ltd., a local flight training school, confirms the pilot of the plane has died, but didn’t confirm whether there were other passengers on board the Sealand Flight Cessna 172.

“We are devastated,” he said.

“Aviation is a small community, and Sealand Flight is like a family. Our hearts go out to the pilot’s family during this incredibly difficult time.”

Mounties said the plane was in a large debris field.

“Police officers remain on scene at the site of the crash, and the investigation is ongoing,” the RCMP said.

Don Goulard with the Nanaimo Airport Commission says the crash happened around eight kilometres from the airport.

The BC Coroners Service confirms it is in the process of investigating the crash.