There were only two accidents among Canadian aerial applicators last year and 54 in the span of 2013-22
REGINA — A spate of accidents in July illustrates the dangers crop sprayers face at work.
Three crashes in nine days resulted in one fatality and serious injuries in Saskatchewan, while another plane went down in Manitoba.
The Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
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Saskatchewan RCMP said the first accident occurred July 11 in the Rural Municipality of Flett Springs, west of Melfort. At 6:25 a.m., police responded to the report of a plane crash.
“An adult female was transported to hospital by STARS with injuries described as serious in nature,” they said.
The second incident happened at about 7:45 a.m. July 18 in the RM of Birch Hills, also near Melfort. STARS was again called and transported an adult male.
On July 19 at 6:30 a.m. Outlook RCMP received a call about a plane crash near Birsay in the RM of Coteau. The pilot, later identified as a 23-year-old male from White City, Sask. and flying out of Rosetown, was declared dead at the scene.
RCMP could not provide any further information but noted all three were spray planes.
Two days later, a 33-year-old male pilot was injured when the plane he was flying clipped a tree and crashed in the RM of Bifrost. Gimli RCMP said the man suffered minor injuries.
The Canadian Aerial Applicators Association, in a July 26 online bulletin, offered condolences to the family and employers of the pilot who died and best wishes to the three others.
“We encourage everyone within our community to take extra care and remain vigilant in their operations,” it said.
“Safety is a shared responsibility and it is through our collective efforts that we can ensure the well-being of each member.”
According to the TSB, there were only two accidents among Canadian aerial applicators last year.
That compares to the 2013-22 total of 54, or an average of about five a year.
There were no fatalities from spray plane crashes in 2023, but seven in the 10 previous years.
The TSB also reported one helicopter accident last year in its aerial application category, and 18 in the 10-year period.
