Two student pilots from Harv’s Air flight school died after their planes collided mid-air near Steinbach, Manitoba, during a routine training flight.
Fatal Collision Shocks Southern Manitoba
A tragic mid-air collision between two training aircraft claimed the lives of two student pilots near Steinbach, Manitoba, on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred around 8:45 a.m. in the Rural Municipality of Hanover, approximately 50 km southeast of Winnipeg. Authorities have confirmed that both aircraft were operated by Harv’s Air flight school, which trains hundreds of aspiring pilots annually.
Victims Were Aspiring Airline Pilots
One of the victims was identified by family as 20-year-old Savanna May Royes, who was described as “the essence of pure joy.” In a written statement, her family said she had always dreamed of becoming a pilot like her father. The second student’s identity has not yet been released. Both were pursuing private and commercial pilot licenses.
Training Exercise Turns Tragic
According to Harv’s Air president Adam Penner, the students were engaged in routine flight training—practicing takeoffs and landings—when their planes collided near the runway approach. The aircraft involved were a Cessna 172 (four-seater) and a Cessna 152 (two-seater). Penner stated that one pilot was early in their training, while the other was close to earning a commercial license.
Eyewitnesses Heard Explosions
Nathaniel Plett, a local resident, said he and his wife heard a loud bang followed by black smoke rising from the scene. Moments later, a second explosion occurred, indicating the severity of the collision. “I said to my wife, ‘That’s a plane crash,’” he told reporters.
Safety Investigation Underway
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has deployed a team to investigate the incident. The RCMP will continue supporting the fatality probe while the TSB focuses on determining the cause. Mid-air collisions are exceedingly rare in Canada, comprising less than 0.5% of aviation accidents, according to the TSB. This is only the second such incident ever recorded in Manitoba.
A Devastating Day for the Flight School
Harv’s Air, founded in the 1970s, is one of Canada’s premier flight schools, with students from across the globe. Instructors, staff, and students were left reeling from the loss. “It’s been a shocking morning,” said Mohamed Shahin, a current instructor and former student. “We’re heartbroken for the families.”
Broader Safety Concerns
This marks the second aviation-related incident involving Harv’s Air this year. In a separate event, a staff member was seriously injured by a propeller while assisting a struggling student at St. Andrews Airport. While unrelated to Tuesday’s crash, it raises broader questions about training safety and operational oversight.
Ongoing Support and Grief
Counselling services are being offered to students and staff at Harv’s Air. Authorities have yet to release the second victim’s identity, pending next-of-kin notification. The TSB’s findings may take several months, but the loss is already deeply felt across the aviation community and beyond.
For continuous coverage and real-time updates, keep following Maple News Wire.
