The pilot of this single-engine propeller plane was unhurt after crash-landing in a Como Road orchard Friday, June 18. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Plane crash lands into Grand Forks orchard, pilot uninjured

RCMP have secured the crash site, pending investigation by Transport Canada

  • Jun. 18, 2021 12:00 a.m.

A Grand Forks pilot was taken to hospital with minor injuries after crash-landing a plane near the city airport Friday, June 18.

Mounties said the pilot, a man in his 60s, lost control of a single-engine propeller plane at around 9 a.m., shortly after taking off from Grand Forks Airport (ZGF). The pilot was unable to call in a May Day signal before landing nose-first in an orchard on the 5800-block of Como Road. No one else was on board when the plane went down.

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A photo taken close up shows the plane’s propeller lodged in the earth, between rows of fruit trees. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Badly shaken but largely unscathed, he then left the downed plane and flagged down a passing motorist, who phoned 911.

He was complaining of a sore back when he was taken to hospital for observation at around 9:45 a.m, Mounties said.

Mounties at the scene said they were looking into the crash, pending an investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.

The crash was likely the result of a critical engine failure, according to Grand Forks RCMP.


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Grand Forks Gazette