Investigators reveal cause of Canadian Forces Snowbirds jet crash
The Royal Canadian Air Force says an improperly assembled oil filter led to the crash of a Snowbirds jet in northern British Columbia last month.
The Department of National Defence announced the finding on Wednesday as it lifted the operational pause that was put on all Snowbirds flights following the Aug. 2 accident in Fort St. John, B.C.
The air force's directorate of flight safety says that while the crash remains under investigation, the initial assessment indicates the CT-114 Tutor aircraft's oil filter was assembled wrong, causing the jet's engine to fail shortly after takeoff.
"The investigation is now analyzing the human factors that may have contributed to this occurrence," the report says.
The Tutor was embarking on a transit flight back to Moose Jaw, Sask., following the Fort St. John International Air Show.
The pilot conducted routine pre-flight checks prior to takeoff and confirmed a positive rate of climb after liftoff, according to the report.
However, when the pilot brought the landing gear up, a loud noise was heard and the engine immediately failed.
The jet slowed and began falling back towards the runway, prompting the pilot to try to put the landing gear back down, according to military investigators.
The landing gear "did not have sufficient time to fully cycle back to the locked-down position" and the aircraft hit the runway, collapsing the landing gear under the weight of the plane.
The jet skidded off the runway and into a fence, where it came to a rest after sustaining significant damage, according to the report.
The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the jet, exited the aircraft uninjured.
"Given that the team has not flown since the Aug. 2 accident, there is not enough time left for them to conduct the number of practices necessary to return to form for their scheduled shows," the Department of National Defence said Wednesday.
"Accordingly, the team’s remaining scheduled performances for 2022 have been cancelled."
The RCAF maintains a fleet of 20 Tutor jets used exclusively by the Snowbirds aerobatic demonstration team.
The Snowbirds were previously grounded in June due to a problem with the aircraft's emergency ejection parachute.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.