WESTLOCK – A 78-year-old Victoria, B.C. man who crashed his plane into a hangar at the Westlock Municipal Airport just after 11 a.m. Aug. 30 was able to walk away from the scene, although he was immediately taken into care and transported to an Edmonton-area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Emergency crews including the RCMP, Westlock County and Town of Westlock fire department personnel and EMS were on the scene shortly after 11 a.m. following the accident — a tail and wing of the small plane could be seen jutting out from a hanger roof.
A preliminary RCMP investigation reveals the pilot was practicing high-speed taxis, going east and west on the runway. During one attempt while westbound, the plane caught air, which ultimately resulted in the nose of the plane going into the hanger — property damage to the ultralight aircraft and hangar are being assessed.
On scene, Westlock County protective services manager John Biro said the pilot was entangled in the wreckage and had to be extracted by firefighters. Due to fuel leaking from the damaged aircraft, fire fighters laid down a layer of foam within the hanger to prevent a fire.
See the Sept. 6 edition of Town & Country This Week for more.
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