Advertisement

Canadian Snowbirds pilot unhurt after ejecting from aircraft at Atlanta airshow

Click to play video: 'Canadian Snowbirds pilot uninjured after ejecting before Atlanta Air Show performance'
Canadian Snowbirds pilot uninjured after ejecting before Atlanta Air Show performance
ABOVE: The Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds said Sunday that a pilot had to eject from his aircraft shortly before their performance at the Atlanta Air Show – Oct 13, 2019

A Canadian Forces Snowbirds pilot was not hurt after after having to evacuate his aircraft during the Atlanta Air Show Sunday.

A tweet from The Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds said Capt. Kevin Domon-Grenier was “forced to eject” from the aircraft before the performance.

Story continues below advertisement

He made it safely to the ground, the post stated, and no one was injured. A video posted to Twitter shows a plume of grey smoke rising in the air.

“The aircraft fell in an unpopulated area,” the organization said.

The tweet said it was too early to speculate on the cause of the incident.

The U.S Federal Aviation Administration said that the aircraft, a CT-114 Tutor, crashed around 1:30 EDT in a pasture near Brooks, Ga.

Story continues below advertisement

A Sunday night statement by the RCAF’s Lt.-Col. Mike French said Domon-Grenier was taken to hospital “as a precaution” but has since been released.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“We’re very grateful that Captain Domon-Grenier made it safely to the ground,” he said in the statement.

“He remained calm throughout the entire incident which is a testament to his skill and professionalism.”

The RCAF says the plane went down in an unpopulated area and no one was injured. Local law enforcement has secured the crash site.

“At this time the precise circumstances leading up to the ejection are not known,” French said in the statement.

Story continues below advertisement

He added that it is “too early” to speculate on whether the Snowbirds will be participating in their last scheduled airshow for the year — this is scheduled on Oct. 19 and 20 in Houston, Texas.

“The priority right now is to provide support to the members of our squadron and their families and to investigate fully the cause of the accident.”

https://twitter.com/CharlotteCliche/status/1183434152290455553

— With files by Maryam Shah

Sponsored content

AdChoices