BY KALISHA MENDONSA
Lacombe Express
A Central Alberta community member was lost last week after a biplane crash in Blackfalds.
According to an RCMP released statement Oct. 6th at approximately 2:30p.m., Blackfalds RCMP were dispatched to a plane crash in Blackfalds. A lone pilot operating a biplane left Lacombe Airport and was experiencing what witnesses believe to be engine trouble.
The plane crashed in a field in the town of Blackfalds, missing houses and businesses by metres. The pilot was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Luke Mack, a resident of Blackfalds, witnessed some of the troubles experienced by the plane and arrived on scene shortly after.
“I was out in my backyard when I first saw the plane and it seemed kind of low, but I assumed it was just because of the wind. It looked like the plane was trying to go up and get altitude, but then it looked like he got hit with a gust of wind. I’ve never seen a plane - besides a fighter jet - angle so fast straight up like that,” Mack said.
“You could hear the motor and it seemed to get kind of choppy before cutting out. It looked like the propeller was starting to slow down and that’s when I knew something was wrong.”
Mack, and others, rushed from their homes to the scene. As Mack was approaching, he says he saw trees shake and thought he felt the ground shake as he heard the crash.
“When I got there, there were already guys from a construction site with fire extinguishers by the plane. People were trying to check on the pilot but we knew it wasn’t much use.”
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is currently investigating the cause of the incident.
As of yet, there has been no announcement of a memorial service for the pilot.
kmendonsa@lacombeexpress.com