The investigation of a plane landing on a road in Prince George, resulting in a fatal crash involving vehicles, is expected to span up to 450 days, according to the Transportation Safety Board (TSB). The incident on August 20 involved a twin-engine Beech King Air 200 making an emergency landing on Foothills Boulevard, causing the death of volunteer Alex Garneau, who was on the road during the event. The TSB has disclosed that the plane lost power to one engine, leading to the emergency landing.
Despite the initial information provided by the TSB, aviation experts have noted that the model of the plane should have been able to operate on just one engine. Former TSB investigator Bill Yearwood has expressed interest in the final report’s findings, believing that additional factors influenced the decision to land on a busy roadway.
The TSB has transitioned into the analysis and examination phase of a Class 3 investigation, which is described as a detailed inquiry requiring a significant level of effort and medium complexity. This type of investigation typically concludes within 450 days and includes analysis, findings, and potential recommendations. The TSB has stated that updates on the investigation may be released before the final report, with a dedicated landing page being established on its website for such updates.
The aircraft involved was registered to Sekani Air Ltd., a charter flight company in Prince George, with the plane en route from Sturdee Airstrip to Prince George Airport. The flight carried two pilots and six passengers from three different companies in the resource industry, all from northwest B.C. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the occupants. Additional information regarding the incident has not been disclosed.