While investigators have not yet determined the cause of a float plane crash in Sudbury's Fairbank Lake Wednesday, Sept. 21, that killed its 61-year-old pilot, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada says the time of the crash is one factor under consideration.
The crash occurred at around 8 p.m. that night, said Ken Webster, an aviation investigator with the Transportation Safety Board.
“Generally float planes are required to operate during daylight hours so they have the visual reference needed to fly,” Webster said. “Lakes don't have runway lights on them, so they're required to operate during the day.”
The Transportation Safety Board deployed three investigators to the site of the crash to assist police and the coroner's office with the investigation.
The investigators can make recommendations to aircraft safety after a crash.
But the depth of Fairbank Lake – northwest of Whitefish – has complicated the investigation, said Webster.
“Normally at this stage of the case we would have wreckage to look at and examine,” he said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Webster said most of the aircraft was still around 135 feet underwater.
Investigators have been in talks with the aircraft's insurer to determine how they could retrieve the float plane from the bottom of the lake.
Once they get the float plane to surface they can see if any mechanical issues contributed to the crash.
After the crash residents in the area were able to rescue the float plane's 32-year-old passenger.
But Brian Hickey, 61, did not survive the crash.
A visitation for Hickey takes place at Lougheed Funeral Home on Regent Street from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Sept. 30.
A funeral mass takes place at St. Pius X Church in Lively on Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. A celebration of Hickey's life will be held at the Uxbridge Curling Club on Oct. 15 from 1 to 5 p.m.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to Meals on Wheels programs in Sudbury or Uxbridge (phone 905-852-7445).
