A Canadian Forces Snowbirds jet crashed into a home in Kamaloops, British Columbia Sunday, killing one.
The Snowbirds, a flight demonstration team operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force, were participating in a cross-country goodwill trip called Operation Inspiration at the time of the crash.
According to witnesses, one of the jets went down around noon shortly after takeoff. The pilot was able to eject.
“One of the snowbirds flying a little lower than expected did a barrel roll over Crestline,” Mike Trafford told CTV News. “There was a flash and a spark shortly after the barrel role and I saw the pilot eject and the plane basically took a nosedive straight into the ground or in this case, what I’ve heard, straight into a house.”
“The first thing I thought was, ‘This isn’t right.’ And it was almost a split second between seeing the pilot eject and the plane go straight down.”
Another witness said a woman died in the crash.
“We thought it broke the sound barrier and we come over onto the deck and we see smoke, so we raced over,” Dana Hings told Global News.
“I’m a retired nurse, so of course I went into the backyard and there was a woman, she was in the plane and she was deceased.”
The Royal Canadian Air Force acknowledged the crash on social media early Sunday afternoon, and later confirmed that Captain Jennifer Casey was killed in the crash, and Captain Richard MacDougall injured.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce that one member of the CF Snowbirds team has died and one has sustained serious injuries. We can confirm that we have contacted all primary family members of those involved. More information will be communicated in the near future.
— CF Snowbirds (@CFSnowbirds) May 17, 2020
The RCAF has suffered another tragic loss of a dedicated member of the RCAF team. We are deeply saddened and grieve alongside Jenn’s family and friends. Our thoughts are also with the loved ones of Captain MacDougall. We hope for a swift recovery from his injuries. – Comd RCAF pic.twitter.com/UZKJa6OT3S
— CF Snowbirds (@CFSnowbirds) May 18, 2020
At least one person was transported to the hospital by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries.
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