Based on coverage from CBC, Barchart, CP24, Toronto Sun, and UPI.
Three people died after a small aircraft supporting wildfire operations crashed Wednesday evening near Fort Simpson, N.W.T., according to N.W.T. Fire. The RCMP say they were notified around 7:30 p.m., and officers are assisting with recovery efforts while the N.W.T. coroner’s office investigates.
Early reporting left the fate of those on board unclear, but N.W.T. Fire said Thursday afternoon that responders reached the site and confirmed three fatalities.
Fort Simpson N.W.T. plane crash confirmed
N.W.T. Fire called it an “unthinkable loss” for the wildfire community. In a statement, wildfire prevention and mitigation manager Mike Westwick said the agency is grieving with families, friends, colleagues, and fellow responders, and that tributes will follow in line with families’ wishes.
The crash happened about 50 kilometres from Fort Simpson, west of Yellowknife, according to reports citing the RCMP and N.W.T. Fire.
Bird dog aircraft role in wildfire response
RCMP identified the aircraft as a fixed-wing Turbo Commander 960 “Bird Dog 104.” Bird dog aircraft are typically used to direct air traffic near a wildfire and co-ordinate airtankers, essentially acting as an airborne command platform above the fire.
Some details vary by source: Buffalo Airways said in a Facebook post the aircraft involved was a Turbo Commander 690 operating as a bird dog during wildfire operations. The RCMP, meanwhile, referred to a Turbo Commander 960. None of the sources provided an explanation for the discrepancy.
N.W.T. Fire spokesperson Mike Westwick told media in an email that authorities realized something was wrong after the aircraft was deemed overdue.
Buffalo Airways and Transport Canada involvement
Yellowknife-based Buffalo Airways confirmed the crash involved one of its planes and said it is working with Transport Canada, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), the RCMP, and the N.W.T. government’s Department of Environment and Climate Change.
The company asked for space for its crews and staff while the investigation continues. One report (UPI) also said Buffalo Airways confirmed one of the victims was an employee and described the loss as an aerial firefighting pilot. Other sources did not independently confirm the victims’ roles.
TSB investigation and RCMP recovery work
The TSB is leading the investigation, with the RCMP supporting on the ground. TSB spokesperson Jon Lee said the agency was notified Wednesday night and was sending two investigators to the area, though the board initially said it had limited details.
N.W.T. Fire also said Critical Incident Stress Management specialists are being mobilized to fire bases to support staff dealing with the aftermath.
Marten Hills wildfire FS009 details
N.W.T. Fire said the aircraft was working on wildfire FS009 in the Marten Hills area near Fort Simpson. The territorial government described it as naturally caused, and most reporting put the size at about 100 hectares (about one square kilometre).
A separate report cited the N.W.T. wildfire dashboard as listing the fire as “out of control” as of Thursday, though officials also said it posed no risk to communities or infrastructure at that time. Across the territory, officials were responding to 19 fires on Thursday, according to UPI.
Prime Minister Mark Carney offered condolences, saying the people fighting wildfires make “profound sacrifice,” as investigators work to determine what caused the crash.
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