Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Inuvik (July 30/01) - A water bomber crashed and sank into a lake 50 kilometres northeast of Inuvik July 23.

The Canso Catalina, owned by Buffalo Airways, was operating under contract to the NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development.

A government media advisory indicated that the plane was picking up a load of water at the northern tip of Sitidgi Lake.

The plane was fighting a fire approximately 80 kilometres northeast of Inuvik.

According to Transport Canada officials, the accident took place just after 8 p.m. last Monday.

Details were sketchy at press time, but William Mawdsley, acting director of forest management for RWED confirmed that the craft was preparing to take on a load of water.

It is unclear whether the craft crashed upon landing, or in preparation for takeoff.

Police were notified a short while later, but their assistance was not requested.

Both the pilot and the co-pilot managed to escape from the plane before it sank. They were taken to Inuvik Regional Hospital and later released.

Neil Green, a communications official with Transport Canada, said that "one of the pilots required a few stitches to his forehead," but that was the extent of injuries to the pair.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.