Three missing after Port Hardy float plane crash

A search effort is underway in Port Hardy after a float plane crashed into the water of Strachan Bay Wednesday afternoon.

Corp. Alex Bérubé with the BC RCMP says crews are looking for three people who were aboard the Cessna.

“It was learned that the aircraft was transporting two passengers out of a logging camp back to Port Hardy. We know that the Coast Guard helicopter and boats were sent to the area to conduct a search. However, no survivors have been located,” he explained, adding the pilot is also missing.

“The plane is believed to have sunk into the waters.”

The RCMP dive team has been brought in.

There’s no word yet on what caused the plane to crash, though Bérubé notes there were high winds in the area at the time.

“And again today there’s a weather warning in effect up Island in this area so the search and rescue efforts are quite challenged at this time,” he told CityNews Thursday.

“We did not have any information as to were there survivors, whether they were able to make it out or not. It’s hard to say at this time, but efforts are underway to locate these occupants.”

The Transportation Safety Board has been called in to try to determine what happened.