Fatal Occurrence 2009C2273
Saskatoon plane crash kills 2
SASKATOON — Two men are dead after a plane crash Tuesday morning near Saskatoon. Emergency officials responded to the scene at 6:20 a.m. The crash took place in a wheat field approximately five kilometres south of the Corman Park Airstrip, about 14 kilometres south of Saskatoon.
"We have no idea what happened at this point," RCMP Sgt. Greg Abbott said Tuesday. "It's just a very sad situation for the family."
The Saskatoon RCMP detachment received a call at 9:50 p.m. Monday about an overdue ultralight aircraft with two occupants: a flight instructor and a student. The flight was due to land at Corman Park Airstrip at 8 p.m., and when it did not return, the family of the flight instructor contacted police. A military search-and-rescue Hercules was deployed from Winnipeg.
Paramedics found a 28-year-old Moose Jaw man and a 56-year-old man — identified as Saskatoon-area flight instructor Vern Rees — both of whom were dead at the scene. Abbott characterized the flight instructor as a "fairly experienced pilot."
Abbott said the wreckage of the plane was found in a "fairly confined area," although parts of the aircraft were spread around the wheat field. Abbott said he is "assuming they were destined for the Corman Park Airfield."
Transport Canada and RCMP are investigating. Transportation and Safety Board officials from Winnipeg were en route to the scene Tuesday morning. RCMP, fire crews and other officials remained on scene.
