WINNIPEG, Man. – A short take-off and an abrupt landing in a clump of trees marked the end of a day’s aerial spraying for a young pilot in Manitoba last week.
The 26-year-old Ontario spray pilot received cuts to one hand but was otherwise uninjured after his freshly loaded, fungicide-laden plane crashed upon takeoff near St. Agathe, Man.
Police spokesperson Constable Denis Lamarre said the aircraft crashed tail first after what police suspect was a gust of wind that pushed the nose of the plane skyward and caused a stall.
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“He just lost control after the wind gust. The plane crashed right on takeoff. He was very lucky (to be unhurt) because the plane was destroyed … He was even surprised not to be badly hurt,” said Lamarre.
Paramedics at the scene treated the pilot. He asked police not to release his name and Golden Air Services, the plane’s owners, have declined comment on the crash.
The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.
This is third aerial spraying accident to take place in southern Manitoba in the past month. A 40-year-old pilot died after his plane crashed into a field near Virden and another pilot escaped injury in a crash landing also near St. Agathe.
