By Dave Branco

Plane Crash

Pilot Rescued After Crash Northeast of Prince George

May 22, 2025 | 4:44 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – A Royal Canadian Air Force CC-295 Kingfisher Search and Rescue crew successfully executed the aircraft’s first operational parachute jump yesterday afternoon, rescuing a civilian pilot who had crashed in the vicinity of Mount Kinney in North-Central British Columbia.

At approximately 1:30 p.m. (PDT), a small aircraft crashed approximately 130 kilometres northeast of Prince George. The pilot’s spot beacon was activated, indicating a crash and prompting Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Victoria to task air assets to the area immediately.

An RCMP helicopter was the first to reach the crash site and was able to land and recover the injured pilot despite poor weather and mountainous terrain. The CC-295 Kingfisher executed its first-ever operational parachute deployment of SAR Technicians, who were dropped approximately 10 kilometres south of the crash site.

The RCMP transported the injured pilot to the SAR Techs, who had parachuted in and established a temporary care site. SAR Techs are highly trained to provide advanced medical care at the point of injury or, in this case, near it.

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Once stabilized, the patient was extracted by the CH-149 Cormorant helicopter and flown to Prince George, where BC Emergency Health Services took over care and transported the injured person to a local hospital.

According to RCAF officials, “the mission speaks to the strength of Canada’s search and rescue system and the incredible feat in bringing this aircraft online. We are now reaping the benefits of that work. To see the Kingfisher complete its first operational jump so early in its service and under such demanding conditions is a proud moment for our Wing and the entire RCAF. What makes this event all the more impressive is the integration between the RCMP and the crews of the CC-295 Kingfisher and CH-149 Cormorant. This complex rescue demonstrates that Search and Rescue is a team endeavour.”

Email: Dave.Branco@pattisonmedia.com

TikTok: @DaveBrancoVJ