A small plane crashed near Deer Lake Airport, N.L., killing at least one. Authorities and safety board officials are investigating the cause.
Crash Occurs Near Newfoundland Airport
A fatal small-plane crash occurred Saturday evening near Deer Lake Regional Airport in western Newfoundland, killing at least one person. The incident happened at approximately 5:30 p.m. NT near the entrance to the airport, prompting a rapid response from RCMP, Fire Rescue, and provincial health services.
Victim Confirmed, More Details Pending
Kisik Geospatial and Aerial Survey, a B.C.-based company that owned the aircraft, confirmed the crash was fatal. Company owner Andrew Naysmith expressed heartbreak over the loss, offering condolences to the victim’s family. The exact number of people onboard has not been released, and no names have been disclosed pending notification of next of kin.
Aircraft Identified as Piper Navajo
The aircraft involved was a Piper Navajo twin-engine plane, capable of carrying up to eight passengers. It departed from Deer Lake Regional Airport at 5:27 p.m., minutes before the crash was reported. Witnesses said the plane appeared to be trailing smoke before going down near the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and Airport Road.
Emergency Response and Airport Status
Emergency crews responded immediately. Deer Lake Airport CEO Tammy Priddle said the facility’s emergency command centre was activated within minutes. Despite the incident, the airport remains operational, with flights arriving and departing as scheduled. Officials are advising passengers to check airline schedules for any updates.
Witnesses Describe Fiery Impact
Dean Major, a contractor working nearby, reported seeing smoke from one side of the plane moments before hearing a loud pop and watching it crash into a wooded ditch. “It was a ball of fire,” Major said, describing a total loss of the aircraft, reduced to a skeleton. He and other workers called emergency services, who arrived promptly.
Safety Board En Route to Crash Site
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) confirmed that investigators are heading to the crash site to determine the cause. TSB spokesperson Liam MacDonald said a full assessment will be conducted. Kisik Geospatial stated it will fully cooperate with investigators and support authorities in every way possible.
Rare Incident in Deer Lake
This is the first plane crash near Deer Lake in over two decades. The previous incident occurred in 1999, involving a cargo aircraft that later went down in Ontario. Local officials, including Mayor Mike Goosney and Coun. Brett Langdon, said while such accidents are rare, emergency teams are trained and equipped for aviation emergencies.
As authorities begin their investigation, the Deer Lake community is left reeling from a rare and tragic aviation incident. With one fatality confirmed and more information to come, safety officials and emergency responders are working to piece together what led to the deadly crash.
For continuous coverage and real-time updates, keep following Maple News Wire.
