The federal Transportation Safety Board has sent investigators to the scene of a plane crash in western Newfoundland that left at least one person dead.
“At around 5:30 pm yesterday [July 26], a Piper PA-31 Navajo registered to Kisik Aerial Survey Inc., crashed approximately 1km south of the Deer Lake Regional Airport with 2 people on board,” Canada’s Transportation Safety Board confirmed to The Epoch Times by email on July 27.
“We are devastated and heartbroken by this loss,” Naysmith said. “The incident happened at approximately 17:37 NDT [Newfoundland Daylight Time] on July 26 shortly after C-GYYP departed from Deer Lake Regional Airport in Deer Lake, NL. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the families of the deceased and their loved ones.”
Naysmith noted that no further details are available yet and that the company will not be releasing the names of anyone involved in the incident. He said that information will be provided by “the proper authorities.” It is not yet clear how many people were on board.
“The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Transport Safety Board of Canada and Kisik will support that investigation in any and every way possible,” Naysmith said.
“Following a circuit, the airplane made an apparent touch and go then the pilot initiated a new departure,” the accident report says. “While climbing out, the airplane entered a left turn then descended to the ground and crashed near the airport, bursting into flames. The pilot was killed.”
An RCMP spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email that the RCMP is assisting the Transportation Safety Board with its investigation into the aircraft crash near Deer Lake.
“This afternoon there was an incident near the airport and emergency crews have responded,” the authority said. “Our airport continues to operate and flights are arriving and departing. Thank you for your cooperation as emergency crews respond.”
Deer Lake is a town in the western part of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
