Canadian armed forces aerobatics jet crash claims on life

A screengrab taken from a video obtained from the Facebook account of Jason Kyle Arnold shows a fire burning after a plane from Canada’s Snowbirds, an elite air force aerobatics team, crashed on May 17, 2020 in Kamloops, British Columbia, during a performance to salute efforts across the country to stem the coronavirus pandemic, the army said. – According to local media, the plane crashed into a house shortly after taking off from Kamloops Airport late in the morning, along with one other plane. Witnesses said the pilot managed to eject from the plane with a parachute before the crash. The pilot landed on the roof of a house and appeared to have suffered back and neck injuries. (Photo by Jason Kyle Arnold / various sources / AFP)

 

By Thomas I. Likness
EBC Edmonton Bureau

EDMONTON (Eagle News) — The crash of a Canadian Forces Snowbirds jet that crashed Sunday in the front yard of a home in Kamloops, British Columbia Sunday has claimed the life of a member of the military.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce that one member of the CF Snowbirds team has died and one has sustained serious injuries,” the Royal Canadian Air Force said on Twitter. “We can confirm that we have contacted all primary family members of those involved.”

Capt. Jennifer Casey, who was a spokesperson for the team, was on board the plane when it crashed and has been identified by officials as the one who died in the crash.

Casey has joined the snowboards in 2018. Previously, she was worked as a journalist for a Halifax radio station.

The RCAF added the surviving member suffered serious injuries but they are not considered life threatening.

The nine-member team had been preparing to do a flyover of the area Sunday as part of Operation Inspiration, a salute to Canadians and front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The plane had just taken off from the Kamloops airport about noon local time when it appeared to do a cartwheel and then nosedived into the ground.

Video shows two puffs of smoke coming from the plane. It appears at least one person was ejected.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he has been in touch with Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan about the crash.

“My thoughts are with the brave members of the RCAF,” said Trudeau. “I would also like to thank the emergency personnel in Kamloops who responded so quickly to this tragic incident.”

Sajjan also expressed his sadness.

“I am deeply saddened by the news of today’s Canadian Forces crash and my thoughts are with all those involved,” said Sajjan. “The Canadian Forces are working with local authorities and will update as information becomes available.”

 

(Eagle News Service)