Dez Loreen
Northern News Services

Fort Norman (Sep 19/05) - Engine failure is suspected in a forced bushplane landing near Tulita last week.

No one was seriously harmed in the crash.

The single engine Cessna 207 involved in the Sept. 14 crash belongs to North-Wright Airlines, who say the plane experienced engine failure shortly after taking off from Tulita between 1:30 and 1:45 pm. The plane was travelling to Norman Wells with two passengers.

According to the airline, a may-day call was transmitted by the pilot as the plane descended into a burned out area of land just north of the Mackenzie River. The plane flipped over when it hit the ground.

The two passengers inside were not harmed. The pilot was able to walk away from the wreck. Investigator Barry Holt, with the Transportation Safety Board, said it will likely be months before their investigation is complete.

"There was no fire, and everyone was escorted to safety," said Holt.

"We currently have two investigators at the site, checking out the damage on the airplane."

North-Wright was the first on the scene. About 30 minutes after they noticed the plane was missing, they sent another to look for it.

"We checked it out, and picked up the people from the site," said pilot Andrew Bailes.

"Everyone was OK, we found them walking around the plane."