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This Cessna 185 floatplane, docked at the Old Town Float Base, sustained minor damage to its engine bonnet and propeller while flying over the southeast side of Latham Island Sunday afternoon after it was struck by what the RCMP say was a bullet. - Katherine Hudson/NNSL photo

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
RCMP say a private Cessna 185 floatplane was hit with a bullet while flying over the southeast side of Latham Island Sunday afternoon. But the owner of the plane, who wishes to remain anonymous, says he's not jumping to any concrete conclusions on the incident just yet.

Police are stating that between 1:30 and 2 p.m. Sunday, the pilot of the plane heard the impact of something hitting the plane during flight and inspected the aircraft after landing and noticed damage to one of the propellers and the engine bonnet.

"It's unconfirmed at this point. I've taken photos, taken appropriate steps with the RCMP, they're wanting the photos and then it's going to be confirmed ... At this point, it's kind of unexplained," said the owner who was 800 feet high when the plane was struck.

"The RCMP says it's confirmed that the damage was done by the bullet. Well, there's no ballistics people in town."

Sean Loutitt, president and CEO of Air Tindi, said if anyone deliberately shot at a plane, it would be "criminal."

"Obviously, that's bad. Because up North here, we rely on air travel for the lifeline of a lot of communities and if people think it's kind of funny to try to shoot an airplane, obviously you could kill somebody or disable the aircraft so it is extremely important that people don't do that. If there are people who are doing it on purpose, hopefully the RCMP can deal with it," said Loutitt.

"To me, if I'm the pilot, it's more important if that bullet would have hit me, that can kill you, that can injure you for life. Then, of course, if we have a bunch of pilots now concerned about this kind of stuff happening, it changes their attitudes."

Const. Amanda McGillivray of the Yellowknife RCMP said it's important for people to be careful when using firearms.

"You never know what else is out there whether it could be someone else out in the bush with you. You really have to be careful. The bullet doesn't just stop a little ways from you after you shoot it, you really have to be careful about which direction you're pointing your firearm."

McGillivray said the incident is still under investigation.

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