A Cessna 172 crashed in North Vancouver on Sunday because it ran out of fuel, according to Transportation Safety Board officials.
The four-seater privately owned plane making a round trip from Langley to Tofino crashed just before 4 p.m. during its return flight to Langley.
“The engine lost power and stopped when crossing over the North Shore,” a Transportation Safety Board spokesperson said, adding that one passenger was seriously injured and two others sustained minor injuries.
Transportation officials said that the plane’s right wing fuel tank was completely empty and its left wing fuel tank had a minimal amount of fuel. The investigation is ongoing and it has yet to be determined why the plane ran out of fuel so suddenly.
A plane has crashed in #NorthVancouver All four people aboad have minor injuries. TSB is now on scene investigating the crash. pic.twitter.com/OdugUqYJLj
— Vancity Stringer (@stucktweet) June 12, 2017
District of North Vancouver fire department crews responded to the crash. According to North Vancouver RCMP Cpl Michael De Jong, the plane impacted a utility pole during its descent in an industrial area at the foot of Phillips Avenue, near the intersection with McKeen Avenue.
Cause of airplane crash unknown. Early stages of investigation. More information to be disseminated as it becomes available.
— North Vancouver RCMP (@nvanrcmp) June 11, 2017
Reports from bystanders say the plane had already tried to make an unsuccessful landing.
Saw this plane make a first attempt to land on Welch and pull up and loop over the water.
— Tony Pistilli (@TonyPistilli67) June 11, 2017
