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Pilots followed procedure in Snowbirds crash
CTV.ca News Staff
An interim report from the probe into last December's deadly Snowbirds aircraft collision says the continuing investigation will focus on training and "human factors aspects."
The report suggests both pilots seemed to follow procedure in the milliseconds leading to the Dec. 10 mid-air collision.
Capt. Miles Selby, 31, of Tsawwassen, B.C., was killed instantly in the crash, 64 kilometres south of Moose Jaw, Sask.
Capt. Chuck Mallett, 35, of Delta, B.C., was thrown from his Tutor jet, the single-page report confirmed Thursday.
The two jets collided about 1,100 metres above ground level while travelling between 670 and 740 kilometres an hour during the practice of a complex manoeuvre called a co-loop.
"As the two aircraft neared the top of the loop, it became evident that there was potential for a collision," the report says.
"Accordingly, one aircraft maintained a predicted flight path (as briefed prior to the mission) so that the other pilot could manoeuvre his aircraft to make the miss.
"When it was evident that a collision was imminent, one pilot initiated an evasive manoeuvre to the inside of the loop, his briefed safe exit direction."
The report says the collision caused a fireball that engulfed the two jets.
Selby was killed instantly and Mallett was ejected from the aircraft without initiating the release himself.
"He realized he was outside of the aircraft and pulled the D-ring on his parachute but then realized he was still in the seat," the report said.
"He manually released his lap belt and pulled the D-ring again.
"Shortly thereafter his parachute blossomed. About five seconds later he landed on the ground having sustained minor injuries from travelling through the fireball."
Mallett called for help on his cellphone within minutes after the accident. He was treated for smoke inhalation.
Selby, a two-year veteran of the Snowbirds, was the sixth Snowbird pilot to die in the group's 35-year history.
The last pilot to die in a crash was Capt. Michael VandenBos, 29. His accident involved two planes colliding near Moose Jaw. It happened six years to the day of Selby's crash.
There have been five Snowbirds accidents in the past 10 years.
After mourning the loss of their fellow pilot, the Snowbirds resumed their training on Jan. 10, their website says.
With files from Canadian Press
CTV.ca News Staff
An interim report from the probe into last December's deadly Snowbirds aircraft collision says the continuing investigation will focus on training and "human factors aspects."
The report suggests both pilots seemed to follow procedure in the milliseconds leading to the Dec. 10 mid-air collision.
Capt. Miles Selby, 31, of Tsawwassen, B.C., was killed instantly in the crash, 64 kilometres south of Moose Jaw, Sask.
Capt. Chuck Mallett, 35, of Delta, B.C., was thrown from his Tutor jet, the single-page report confirmed Thursday.
The two jets collided about 1,100 metres above ground level while travelling between 670 and 740 kilometres an hour during the practice of a complex manoeuvre called a co-loop.
"As the two aircraft neared the top of the loop, it became evident that there was potential for a collision," the report says.
"Accordingly, one aircraft maintained a predicted flight path (as briefed prior to the mission) so that the other pilot could manoeuvre his aircraft to make the miss.
"When it was evident that a collision was imminent, one pilot initiated an evasive manoeuvre to the inside of the loop, his briefed safe exit direction."
The report says the collision caused a fireball that engulfed the two jets.
Selby was killed instantly and Mallett was ejected from the aircraft without initiating the release himself.
"He realized he was outside of the aircraft and pulled the D-ring on his parachute but then realized he was still in the seat," the report said.
"He manually released his lap belt and pulled the D-ring again.
"Shortly thereafter his parachute blossomed. About five seconds later he landed on the ground having sustained minor injuries from travelling through the fireball."
Mallett called for help on his cellphone within minutes after the accident. He was treated for smoke inhalation.
Selby, a two-year veteran of the Snowbirds, was the sixth Snowbird pilot to die in the group's 35-year history.
The last pilot to die in a crash was Capt. Michael VandenBos, 29. His accident involved two planes colliding near Moose Jaw. It happened six years to the day of Selby's crash.
There have been five Snowbirds accidents in the past 10 years.
After mourning the loss of their fellow pilot, the Snowbirds resumed their training on Jan. 10, their website says.
With files from Canadian Press
