Investigators are continuing their search for the cause of the crash that killed civilian pilot Bruce Evans during the Cold Lake Air Show.
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada is heading up the investigation, with support from 4 Wing Cold Lake. A pair of investigators dispatched to the scene of the accident shortly after the crash moved off of the base as of last Tuesday but are continuing to collect evidence.
While it's too early to rule anything out, thanks to an abundance of video and photographs as a result of the air show, they have been able to make some determinations.
“I can say that there is a lot of video evidence and photos. The engine was operating at the time of impact and it appears that the controls were operating normally, but we haven't ruled out mechanical issues as of yet,” explained Fred Burow, TSB investigator in charge of the case.
Burow added, “We've finished with the site itself but we're getting technical records, medical records, training records for the pilot, I have some other interviews to do with either witnesses or experts in the field. We're still in that phase where we're gathering evidence.”
Evans' T-28 Trojan crashed into the ground during his performance in the Cold Lake Air Show, just before 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 17. Emergency personnel rushed to the scene but Evans was already dead.
Hailing from Calgary, the experienced civilian pilot had logged over 4,000 hours of flying time.
Immediately following the crash, 4 Wing flight safety personnel initiated the investigation but, due to the fact Evans was a civilian, the determination was made that TSB would take over. In addition to providing initial imagery of the crash site and follow-up imagery preparation, according to public affairs officer Capt. Mat Strong, the base continues to provide whatever resources and support to the investigation that they can.
“While the investigation continues, the TSB has requested that we continue to assist in keeping the scene secure while a civilian contractor, hired by Mr. Evans' insurance company, works to recover the remains of the aircraft. The insurance company is out there with a salvage team gathering up the remains of the aircraft.”
Because the crash took place on 4 Wing property, the TSB will be keeping them in the loop on the investigation and providing officials with an update in 30 days.
The death of Evans caused shock and sadness throughout the air show community. Initial grief counselling was provided by the base. Evans' team departed from Cold Lake last Tuesday in the second T-28 Trojan they owned.
“It's a very small, tight-knit community in the Canadian air show industry. Bruce was very well-known and very well-liked. He had a lot of friends here, so they all banded together and worked to support Bruce's partner, while he worked to provide support to Bruce's family,” expressed Strong.
While the tragedy is just that, Strong maintained that safety is always the highest priority at air shows but there are certain risks involved. The biennial air show is planned to continue as scheduled in 2018.
“We take safety extremely seriously. A flight safety investigation uncovers the root problem so we can avoid those problems in the future. We'll learn what we can from this tragedy and try to pass it on to future situations.”
Burow noted TSB will not be releasing a timeline as to when they expect the investigation to be finished.
