News
Crashed water bomber had wheels down

July 28, 2009, Vancouver – The Transportation Safety Board says a float-equipped
water bomber that crashed while fighting forest fires last weekend
mistakenly had its wheels down as it tried to land on Okanagan Lake.

Board spokesman Bill Yearwood says the single-engine Air Tractor
was setting down on the lake Saturday to scoop up more water when it
suddenly crashed.

Yearwood says the pilot, who escaped with minor injuries, has
admitted the landing gear was lowered, an explanation that's backed
up by a video recording of the crash.

Yearwood says the investigation will focus on how the wheels came
to be set in the down position to see if changes in procedures can
avoid the problem in future.

The plane was owned by Abbotsford-based Conair.

Vice-president Ric Pedersen says the veteran pilot is taking a
few days off to recover from his injuries, and it will take at least
a couple of days to recover the plane wreckage, which is about 75
metres under water.

(The Canadian Press)