Online tributes identify pilot in fatal float plane crash, formal identification yet to be made
Posted July 27, 2019 9:37 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Tributes are being paid online to the man thought to be the pilot of the chartered float plane that crashed off the northern tip of Vancouver Island Friday, killing four people.
The flight from Vancouver crashed in a remote island on its way to a fishing lodge on Calvert Island. There were nine people on board, including the pilot. The five survivors were transported to hospital Friday evening.
RELATED: Four people dead in B.C. float plane crash
RCMP are not formally releasing the names of any of the victims, as they still try to reach out to family members.
Tributes on Facebook are describing Al McBain as a “great guy and friend” and praising his skills and actions for saving the lives of five of the nine passengers on board.
Seair Seaplanes has confirmed Al McBain was a pilot with them, but will not say if he was on board the plane that crashed.
The company halted all flights Friday, but resumed operations Saturday.
“Passenger safety is always our first priority and after a thorough mechanical and safety inspection of all Seair aircraft we have resumed scheduled service,” the company says in a statement. “Our thought are with thos involved in the accident yesterday and their loved ones.”
Federal investigators are expected to arrive at the remote, uninhabited island Sunday.
RELATED: Transportation Safety Board sends investigators to assess B.C. seaplane crash
