Plane Crash Leaves Seven Dead

Thormanby Island, CanadaSeven people died in a plane crash on Sunday when the plane they were in crashed and burst into flames. One person, a passenger on the plane, survived the crash and is being treated in hospital for severe injuries and burns. The plane crash is the second fatal crash in 4 months for Pacific Coastal Airlines. The airplane was chartered to carry workers to a hydro-electric project in British Columbia.

"So far, it is unknown what caused the plane to crash approximately halfway into its flight. The plane had been cleared for takeoff in "marginal" weather conditions and there has been no indication that there was anything wrong with the plane. The plane's pilot was experienced, with over 12,000 hours of flying time, and was familiar with the flight route, having flown it previously. Witnesses said that there was significant fog on Sunday morning but it is not yet known if that was a factor in the crash.

The lone survivor is believed to have walked for 2.5 hours down a steep creek bed to a nearby beach, where he was spotted by people on a Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel. The man reportedly told his rescuers that he plane exploded as he fled it, with the other passengers and the pilot were still inside. The survivor, whose name has not been released, suffered burns, lacerations and multi-system trauma.

According to the Globe and Mail, at 10:40 am, a witness thought she heard a plane crash and reported it, however Pacific Coastal did not report its plane missing for an hour and half. The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

The plane involved in the crash was a Grumman Goose. In August, another Grumman Goose, also operated by Pacific Costal Airlines, crashed into the side of a mountain on Vancouver Island. Five people died in that crash while 2 survived. Pacific Costal Airlines operated 6 of the 7 Grumman Goose G-21 airplanes active in Canada prior to the 2 crashes.