World

Richmond, BC Plane Crash: Two Dead Near Vancouver Airport

by Jon Azpiri | July 9, 2009 at 10:30 pm

6036 views | 16 Recommendations | 6 comments

A small airplane crashed in Richmond, BC close to the Vancouver International airport. A light twin-engine PA-31 Navajo airplane crashed into a building in an industrial area. According to airport officials, the plane was approaching the airport when flight controllers lost contact with the plane.

Early reports indicate that two people died in the crash. Fire crews were on the sceneto put out a blaze located in a nearby building.

UPDATE | July 10, 200 — For more on this story, see additional NowPublic coverage: Richmond, BC Plane on Fire Before it Crashed, Killing 2 Pilots

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend Sign In or Join to post comments

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 02:57 on July 10th, 2009

The plane was about eight kilometres away from the airport and had been cleared for landing when the control tower lost contact, officials said.

The model of plane carries two crew and up to six passengers. Officials have not yet commented on how many people were on board the aircraft at the time of the crash.

Assistant RCMP Supt. Peter German confirmed that two people on board the plane died in the crash. German said that police believed they were the only people in the aircraft at the time.

Police are not aware of anyone on the ground being injured, German said.

"We're very lucky, very fortunate," German said. Fast-food restaurants, big box stores and residential townhouses are also near the scene.

Eyewitness reports indicate the plane was flying very low over the area before it nosedived into the ground and burst into flames about 15 metres high.

"There was a bang and our house shook, lights flickered, and there was a big cloud of smoke," said Christine Malcolm, who lives nearby.

The crash also affected hydro poles near the scene.

Police, fire and rescue officials, and emergency health services responded to the scene.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 03:03 on July 10th, 2009

The Transportation Safety Board arrived at the scene early Friday morning and will be taking charge of the investigation, officials said.

The plane was believed to be operated by a charter company based in Richmond.

City officials said the crash does not pose a danger to residents living in the area but have asked that people avoid using streets in the region, including Bridgeport Way.

The crash has also not affected the status of flights at the airport.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 03:08 on July 10th, 2009

But eyewitness Darren Van Leeuwen said this plane was far too close to the ground.

"I heard the engines coming over and I thought 'my God that's low,' and as I looked up I could see the belly of the plane seconds before he hit the ground," he said. "He hit almost nose straight down."

Van Leeuwen said flames shot about 50 metres in the air.

The plane was on approach to the airport after a flight from Victoria, said Alana Lawrence, a spokeswoman for the Vancouver Airport Authority.

She said the plane was a twin-engine Piper Navajo, which can carry a crew of two and up to six passengers.

yener (not verified)

at 08:13 on July 10th, 2009

I would just like to point out that the aircraft pictured flying in front of the tower does not belong to the company that crashed. I am Operations Manager for KD Air and we have an unblemished 18 year safety record.