Snowbird pilot dies in Montana crash

A Canadian Forces Snowbird pilot was killed Friday when his jet crashed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana while rehearsing for performances this weekend.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the death in a release.

The crash occurred at 3:45 p.m. when a group of planes were practising manoeuvres above the base. One plane left the formation and "for some reason shortly thereafter pitched down and crashed," FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer said.

Lieutenant Jeff Noel, a spokesman for 15 Wing Moose Jaw, said all the Snowbirds participating in the practice run in Montana were veterans, though he couldn't say exactly how many aircraft may have been in the air at the time of the incident.

The father of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds pilot who died when his plane crashed in Montana said the next time he was supposed to see his son was on his wedding day next month.

Ken McCaughey spoke to CBC Newsworld the day after the CT-114 Tutor jet of Capt. Shawn McCaughey, 31, of Candiac, Que., crashed Friday afternoon during a practice session for a weekend air show.