Question Period Note: snowbirds aircraft accident

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About

Reference number:
DND-2020-QP-00002
Date received:
May 21, 2020
Organization:
National Defence
Name of Minister:
Sajjan, Harjit S. (Hon.)
Title of Minister:
Minister of National Defence

Issue/Question:

Can the Minister of National Defence provide an update on the circumstances of the Snowbirds aircraft accident in the vicinity of Kamloops, British Columbia?

Suggested Response:

  • The loss of any member of the Canadian Armed Forces is devastating to our military community.
  • I offer my sincere condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of Captain Casey, and I wish Captain MacDougall a complete recovery.
  • I would also like to thank first responders in Kamloops for responding to this incident, which has impacted their community.
  • The Canadian Armed Forces has launched a flight safety investigation into the circumstances surrounding this accident.
  • We will continue to do everything we can to ensure the safety of all military members and ensure that accidents like this do not happen again.

IF PRESSED ON THE LIFE-EXTENSION OF THE TUTOR FLEET

  • We will continue to provide Canadian Armed Forces members with the equipment they need to do their jobs.
  • We are currently examining options for the full life-extension of the Tutor fleet until 2030.
  • The results of the flight safety investigation will inform our decision making in this matter.

Background:

Responsible Principals: Strategic Joint Staff, Royal Canadian Air Force, Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel)

Additional Information:

QUICK FACTS

  • Accident: On May 17, 2020, shortly after take-off from the Kamloops Airport, a CT-114 Tutor Snowbird crashed in a residential area near the airfield. The aircraft crashed into a home however occupants were not reported to have suffered any injuries.
  • Lost and injured Canadian Armed Forces members:
    • Captain Jennifer Casey, Public Affairs Officer for the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, 431 Demonstration Squadron lost her life in the accident.
    • Captain Richard MacDougall, one of the Coordinators for the flight team sustained non-life threatening injuries in the accident.
  • Investigation: A Royal Canadian Air Force Flight Safety Investigation team arrived in Kamloops on May 18, 2020, to investigate the circumstances of the accident. 
  • Implications for Op INSPIRATION: Further demonstrations of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds are postponed indefinitely.
  • Implications for the CT-114 Tutor Fleet: As a result of the accident, the CT-114 Tutor fleet has been placed on operational pause.
  • CT-114 Tutor Life extension to 2030:
    • This project will upgrade the avionics (electronic systems), including the communications and navigations systems, to ensure the aircraft continues to meet modern regulatory requirements.
    • Upgrades to all of the RCAF Tutor aircraft are scheduled to be completed by 2025.
  • Tutor Aircraft Maintenance:
    • RCAF technicians ensure daily maintenance and repairs. A maintenance team travels with the Snowbird demonstration team.
    • Periodic in-depth repair and overhaul work is contracted to third parties, which includes taking apart and rebuilding the engine and airframe to inspect each individual part.
    • There are currently three distinct contracts for repair and overhaul on the Tutor aircraft (one for the engines, one for the engineering support, and one for the airframe).