Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Man dies in ultralight

The elderly pilot of an ultralight aircraft died in a crash at Vernon Regional Airport yesterday. The 78-year-old Vernon man's name was not released. Vernon RCMP Cpl. Doug Haftner said witnesses reported seeing the ultralight have difficulty as it approached the airport to land at about 1:30 p.m.

"Witnesses indicate they saw the tail of the plane fluttering back and forth, left to right," said Haftner. "The plane then nose-dived into the ground from about 2,000 feet." Haftner said the weather was not likely a factor -- sunny and 24 C -- and there was no fire. "Witnesses advised that they could hear the motor revving. The engine did not cut out prior to the crash," he said. No one else was on board and no one on the ground was hurt. The victim owned the aircraft. Grahame Go, manager of the small airport, said the dead man was well known in the flying community. "Everyone's touched by this," said Go. "Our prayers and thoughts are with his family right now. It's a very close community at this airport." The B.C. Coroners Service is investigating.

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