The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has indicated that the investigation surrounding a plane’s emergency landing on a road in Prince George, resulting in a fatality and collision with vehicles, may span up to 450 days for completion.
The TSB is currently scrutinizing the events of August 20 when a twin-engine Beech King Air 200 made an emergency landing on Foothills Boulevard, striking four vehicles and tragically leading to the death of Alex Garneau, a prominent volunteer who was present at the scene. The TSB has disclosed that the plane experienced power loss in one engine, prompting the emergency landing.
While initial information suggests engine failure as a contributing factor, experts have noted that the aircraft model should be capable of operating on a single engine. Former TSB investigator Bill Yearwood has highlighted the likelihood of additional factors influencing the decision to land on a busy roadway, awaiting further insights from the comprehensive investigation report.
The TSB has transitioned into the analysis and examination phase of a Class 3 investigation, characterized as a thorough inquiry demanding substantial effort and of moderate complexity. This phase typically culminates within 450 days, encompassing analysis, findings, and potential recommendations.
Updates on the investigation may be shared before the final report’s release, with a dedicated webpage for these updates being established on the TSB’s website. The aircraft was owned by Sekani Air Ltd., a charter flight company in Prince George, and was en route from Sturdee Airstrip to Prince George Airport with two pilots and six passengers representing different resource industry companies in northwest B.C., all of whom escaped unharmed. The company has chosen not to comment further on the incident, and no additional details have been provided at this time.