Three rescued after two floatplane mishaps
Two pilots, one passenger safe after rescue missions by Canadian military and RCMP
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Friday, July 21, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Three people were rescued after two float plane incidents Tuesday night near Lutsel K'e.
According to a news release from RCMP, police received a request for assistance from the Department of National Defence Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) at 8 Wing in Trenton, Ont. after a floatplane had initiated its emergency beacon about 35 kilometres south of Lutsel K'e.
"RCMP chartered a helicopter out of Yellowknife and dispatched to the GPS coordinates with two RCMP members on board," stated the release.
"RCMP members located the aircraft upside down in the water and the lone pilot who appeared to have minor injuries. The pilot was flown back to Yellowknife."
While the Mounties were responding to that incident, a second call for service came in about two-and-a-half hours after the first call.
It indicated that a floatplane was overdue from a trip in the Lutsel K'e area.
For this rescue, RCMP commissioned the help of JRCC and the Royal Canadian Air Force's Hercules aircraft.
"The Hercules located the downed aircraft on water at approximately 5:10 a.m. on July 19," stated the release. "The Hercules deployed two search and rescue technicians who located the pilot and passenger who appeared to be in good condition. (They) were picked up and transported back to Yellowknife."
The plane, pilot and passenger were located near Dubawnt Lake, not far from the NWT/Nunavut border.
RCMP stated they also worked with Civil Aviation Search and Rescue on the missions and Transport Canada has been notified of the incidents. The names of the pilots and the passenger have not been released. It was not clear as of press time if either of the flights had originated in Yellowknife.
