Ten CT-114 Tutor jets flown by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds aerobatic team are expected to return to their home base in Moose Jaw from the U.S. today.
The team had been temporarily grounded by the Royal Canadian Air Force after a crash of one of its Snowbirds aircraft in Georgia.
The crash happened on Oct. 13. Snowbird pilot Capt. Kevin Domon-Grenier was forced to eject from his aircraft shortly before the team’s performance in Atlanta, the team stated. Domon-Grenier sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital as a precaution following the ejection. The Tutor jet crashed into a farmer’s field and there were no injuries on the ground.
The investigation into the crash has advanced enough that the Royal Canadian Air Force says it is confident the CT-114 Tutors parked at Falcon Field in Peachtree City, Georgia can be safely flown home to 15 Wing Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan. Another operational risk assessment will be conducted prior to resuming regular aerobatic training flights, according to the Canadian Forces.
“When flying air demonstrations, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds operate in tight formation, conducting loops and rolls in our signature formation,” Lt.-Col. Mike French, commanding officer of the Snowbirds, said in a statement. “At this point we have received enough information from investigators to resume wings-level flight in order to return our jets to our home base. However we need to let the investigators continue to work before we resume full operations.”
Once the fleet returns to full flying operations, there will be a better assessment of the impact to the Snowbirds 2020 flying schedule. At this point annual spring training in Comox, British Columbia will be delayed at least a month.
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds spend the winter months training for the upcoming season. Approximately 80 training missions occur prior to spring training in Comox, British Columbia in order to prepare for the upcoming season.
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2019
