Canada releases report on CAF Snowbirds incident
The Canadian Department of National Defence released its Airworthiness Investigative Authority report following the crash of a CAF Snowbird aircraft on 17 May which left one pilot dead.
The preliminary From the Investigator (FTI) report revealed that a video has emerged showing one bird near the right engine of the aircraft during the critical post take-off phase. As a result, the investigation will focus on environmental factors alongside the aircraft’s escape system failure.
Col John Alexander, Director of Flight Safety and Department of National Defence’s Airworthiness Investigative Authority, said: ‘During any Flight Safety investigation, we focus on completing a thorough, accurate and professional investigation. While we might quickly understand what happened in an accident, the most difficult work of an investigation begins as we peel back the layers to understand why and how this happened.’
The CT-114 Tutor fleet of Snowbirds has been placed on a temporary operational pause since the accident occurred in Kamloops, British Columbia.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Air Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: UK launches Project Octopus to deliver thousands of interceptor drones to Ukraine]()
DSEI 2025: UK launches Project Octopus to deliver thousands of interceptor drones to Ukraine
The programme will work to build and deploy the drones to Ukraine to support its fight against Russia, coming a day after Poland shot down 19 Russian drones in its airspace.
-
![DSEI 2025: NATO members evaluate Black Widow UAV as it joins NSPA catalogue]()
DSEI 2025: NATO members evaluate Black Widow UAV as it joins NSPA catalogue
The addition of Red Cat’s Black Widow to NATO’s NSPA catalogue opens the doors for allied forces to more easily procure the AI-enabled drone.
-
![DSEI 2025: Deutsche Aircraft takes aim at special mission market with D328MR]()
DSEI 2025: Deutsche Aircraft takes aim at special mission market with D328MR
The company plans to offer its D328eco commercial aircraft as a multi-role variant, and spoke to Shephard at DSEI 2025 about its ambitions for the future.
-
![DSEI 2025: New AR3 EVO puts Tekever’s modularity ambitions under the spotlight]()
DSEI 2025: New AR3 EVO puts Tekever’s modularity ambitions under the spotlight
An evolution of the Tekever AR3, the AR3 EVO that broke cover at DSEI incorporates the thousands of incremental evolutions the company has implemented through its spiral development, geared towards delivering a constant stream of improved aircraft to Ukraine.
-
![DSEI 2025: Schiebel reveals two weaponised Camcopter UAVs]()
DSEI 2025: Schiebel reveals two weaponised Camcopter UAVs
The new capabilities are based on platforms already in use or in development, and are designed to perform in demanding defence missions.
