Prince George plane lost engine power before fatal crash, investigators say
A plane that made a fatal emergency landing on a Prince George road Thursday lost power in one engine before colliding with four vehicles, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said.
One person inside a vehicle was killed in the crash on Foothills Boulevard on Aug. 20, Prince George RCMP said.
The Beechcraft King Air 200 departed Sturdee Airstrip in northern B.C. at about 1:25 p.m. with two crew members and six passengers aboard, the safety board said in a statement to Vista News.
The aircraft, operated by Sekani Air Ltd., was travelling to Prince George Airport when it lost power in one engine and made an emergency landing.
The plane collided with four vehicles, the safety board said. Police initially reported that two vehicles were involved.
No injuries were reported among the eight people aboard the aircraft, according to the safety board.
BC Emergency Health Services said paramedics assessed 10 people and took two patients to hospital in stable condition.
The aircraft, registered as C-GEDV, was also involved in an emergency landing near Kelowna on Jan. 22, 2024.
Its oxygen masks deployed while the aircraft descended through about 20,000 feet, prompting the crew to declare an emergency and land safely at Kelowna Airport.
Upper Valley Aviation operated the aircraft at the time.
Investigators have not established whether there is any connection between the two incidents.
Prince George Airport said it was notified of an aircraft emergency Thursday afternoon and prepared for the plane’s arrival. Its emergency response was called off after the aircraft landed on Foothills Boulevard.
Safety board investigators were at the crash site Friday, Aug. 21, documenting the scene and gathering evidence. They were also arranging interviews with people involved.
The City of Prince George said Foothills Boulevard was expected to reopen late Friday.
Brendan Pawliw Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.
