-With files from Scott Strasser
A crash landing on Comox Lake Wednesday evening damaged a float plane, but could have been much more serious than it was.
Around 5:00 p.m. on Aug. 16, RCMP received several 9-1-1 calls about the crash landing. The lone pilot had intended to land on the lake after circling overhead for several minutes, but came in too hard. The pilot’s hard landing caused one of the pontoon floats to come off and caused the plane to do a somersault after skidding on the water.
The pilot was able to extract himself from the float plane before it tipped upside down and submerged into the water.
According to video footage captured by witnesses, several boaters rushed to the pilot’s assistance after the incident. The pilot was the only person in the plane.
Video by Beau Neilsen
First responders on the scene included the RCMP and the Cumberland Fire Department.
Const. Rob Gardner said the investigation has been turned over to the Transportation Safety Board.
“The pilot was able to get out on his own and he was checked out by the provincial ambulance service on scene,” Gardner said. “I can’t really say [if] he was all right. He wasn’t taken to hospital. I can’t comment on any injuries or not because I don’t know.”
Cumberland Fire Chief Mike Williamson said there were no fuel or oil leaks into the lake.
@ragnarhaagen
ragnar.haagen@bpdigital.ca
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
