Injured pilot ‘extracted’ from isolated area by police dog after plane crash

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The pilot of a plane flying on the way to Fort St. John was injured when her plane crashed in a remote area near Mackenzie. 

An emergency response team – including from the Mackenzie RCMP, RCMP Air-3 and Mackenzie Search and Rescue, alongside others – went to the scene on May 21st. 

Officers in Mackenzie had been tipped off to the crash by the SOS activation of a SPOT device which was linked to a single-engine plane flying from Williams Lake to Fort St. John. 

Despite poor weather and the isolated location, the RCMP Air-3 managed to land and a police dog located and “extracted” the woman, according to a statement released by the North District RCMP on May 23rd. 

She had sustained injuries but they did not appear to be life-threatening, and the air team transported her to Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) resources outside the crash site for a medical assessment and then to the hospital.

The Transportation Safety Board has conducted an investigation of the crash and determined there is no indication of criminality.