CF18 pilot killed in crash in Alberta
COLDLAKE, Alta - A Canadian Forces pilot was found dead in his parachute yesterday after his CF-18 jet went down in poor weather.
The experienced pilot, from 416 Tactical Fighter Squadron based in Cold Lake, Alta., was on an international training exercise involving pilots from several countries.
His plane crashed in mid-afternoon about 50 kilometres north of Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake in northeastern Alberta.
Investigators were unsure if overcast skies and rain showers in the area were a factor.
"We don't really know what caused the accident," said Capt. Leah Gillespie, public affairs officer at the military base. One possibility is fuel contamination.
"We're looking at fuel ... oxygen within the actual aircraft," she said.
The pilot's body was found about 200 metres from his plane, which crashed near Burnt Lake on the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range.
The crash came in the midst of Operation Maple Flag, an international air combat exercise. About 50 aircraft were flying over the range when the plane went down, Gillespie said.
She couldn't say what exercise the pilot was taking part in.
Pilots participating in Operation Maple Flag practise such exercises as dropping bombs and supplies.
The six-week operation is held annually at CFB Cold Lake. It attracts top-gun pilots from around the world.
About 3,000 pilots are expected to take part this year from Canada, the United States, France, Belgium and other countries.
In 2000, a U.S. F-16 pilot ejected safely during Operation Maple Flag when his jet went down after a bird hit the aircraft's canopy.
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