NANAIMO -- Air show organizers followed the rules June 4 when a plane crashed into the Nanaimo airfield, injuring a stunt pilot, a Transport Canada review found.
Bill Phipps, an experienced pilot from Campbell River, was performing acrobatic manoeuvres in the Wings and Wheels air show put on by the Nanaimo Flying Club, when spectators saw his plane hit the ground.
Some observers were critical of how emergency responders were prevented from crossing the field to rescue the injured pilot, but Transport Canada’s review found organizers went by the book that day.
“Our review is complete and all the information available to date indicates the air show was in compliance with Canadian aviation regulations and there is no further action required at this time,” said Sara Hof, Transport Canada spokeswoman.
A Transport Canada observer was present to witness the entire show, meaning the crash was under direct observation by the agency when it occurred. That is a requirements of air shows under the Aeronautics Act.
“We had somebody on the scene,” Hof said.
Still unknown is what caused 71-year-old Phipps to crash. He remains in a Victoria hospital where he is said to be improving.
Spectators were shocked when he smacked his hand-built biplane into the grassy airfield at 2:05 p.m. The crash brought the festive event to an abrupt end.
Sigmund Sort, an air show spectator, said he was angry with the “tentative response” of Cranberry Fire Department members, who were staged near the airport tower almost directly across the runway from the crash scene.
Sort said members stood by for about a minute before heading to the crash site, but the lead emergency responder said his crew was following orders.
Source: http://new.canada.com
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