Pilot uninjured after emergency landing close to Shellbrook
Incident occurred during cargo run from Saskatoon to camp on Cree Lake
The owner of a light aircraft that made an emergency landing on a highway north of Shellbrook says he is relieved the pilot — the only person on board — walked away uninjured.
“It’s disturbing,” Ron Olson said of the moment he learned the aircraft, a Piper Cherokee Six, landed 24 kilometres north of the town on Highway 240 after the pilot experienced engine trouble.
“The first thing we want to make sure is, is everybody safe,” the veteran pilot said two days after the incident, which occurred during a cargo run from Saskatoon to his fishing camp on Cree Lake.
Shellbrook RCMP reported early Tuesday morning that the 41-year-old pilot from Clavet — whom Olson described as a friend helping him out — did not report any injuries. Transport Canada is investigating.
Olson said the pilot was bound for Cree Lake, about 600 kilometres north of Saskatoon, with a load of supplies when the weather had “gone down a bit” and he decided to turn around and head back to the city.
“As he was coming back to Saskatoon, the engine sputtered and was losing power, and he was over a road — a paved road — so he decided to land on the road,” Olson said.
“While he was landing, there was a crosswind and it blew him somewhat off to the side. His wing also hit a sign. In the end, the airplane went off the road into a field, a farmer’s field, then the nose gear collapsed.”
Olson, who has been flying for 40 years, said crews were working to recover the aircraft Tuesday afternoon.
The most important thing is that the pilot is fine, he said.
Mishaps involving aircraft are rare in Saskatchewan.
In 2016, the most recent year for which data is available, 35 were reported in the province compared to 1,063 nationally.
Introduced in 1965, the Piper Cherokee Six is an evolution of the Piper Cherokee, one of the world’s most popular general aviation aircraft.
It can be configured to carry cargo or up to seven passengers.