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West Kelowna  

Plane overturned in lake

Alanna Kelly

UPDATE: 7:40 p.m.

Police say a float plane that crashed in Okanagan Lake below Sunnyside Road in West Kelowna has now been recovered and secured by officials.

RCMP Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey confirms the pilot, a 72-year-old Alberta man and his lone passenger, a 59-year-old man, were taken to Kelowna General Hospital with undetermined, but non life-threatening injuries.

“The crash is not being considered criminal in nature at this time,” says O’Donaghey.

“As such, RCMP have since notified, and continue to support the Transportation Safety Board of Canada who have launched an investigation into the aviation incident.”


UPDATE: 6:40 p.m.

Both occupants of a float plane that crashed into Okanagan Lake upon landing Monday afternoon have been taken to Kelowna General Hospital with what are being described as minor injuries.

RCMP Const. Mike Gillis says the extent of those injuries are not known.

Gillis told Castanet News the plane is designed for both water, and hard surface landings.

He said the wheels of the plane were down, instead of up, when the pilot attempted a water landing.

The wheels caught, forcing the nose of the plane down.

Firefighters are bringing some pieces of the plane to shore, however, it appears as if a tow truck may be required to try and remove the bulk of the plane.


UPDATE: 5:55 p.m.

A search of the overturned aircraft's tail letters N84GJ shows the plane is an amphibious Icon A5.

It is capable of landing on either land or water, but police at the scene say the crash happened during a "wheels down" landing. The plane "nosed over" when the wheels hit the water.

The plane is listed as owned by International Air Services of Carson City, Nevada.

The pilot was an Alberta resident, police say.

Both occupants' injuries were minor in the crash landing.


UPDATE: 5:45 p.m.

Two people on board a light aircraft overturned in Okanagan Lake have been taken to hospital by ambulance, police confirm.

Police and firefighters are on scene, and the aircraft remains in the water.


ORIGINAL: 5:30 p.m.

Rescue crews are on the scene of an overturned plane on Okanagan Lake.

A small plane can been seen upside down in the water near the shore, below Sunnyside Road in West Kelowna.

Castanet reporter Alanna Kelly is at the scene and will provide more details.



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