2 (Canadian) Snowbirds crash in Saskatchewan

MOSSBANK, SASK. - Two Canadian Forces Snowbirds crashed Friday morning while the jets were on a practice flight near Mossbank, Sask.

Air force officials say the jets collided in mid-air during one of their daily training missions.

Early reports say the pilots were able to eject, but there's no word on their condition. Captain Jay Walker of 15 Wing said there was one pilot in each aircraft.

Lt. Andrea Collins said a ground search and rescue team is at the site, located near the town of Ardill.

The Canadian Forces is scheduled to hold a news conference at CFB Moose Jaw later Friday.

All flying training missions at the base have been suspended during the investigation into the crash.

The Snowbirds fly 11 Canadair Tutor aircraft: nine perform as a team in air shows and two other spare jets fill in when the others are down for maintenance or repairs.

Mossbank, about 65 kilometres southwest of Moose Jaw, is home base to the aerobatic team.

I had a neighbor in Aiken, SC who flew one and he would be the first to agree with you. But my favorite of all has got to be the A26. Don't know if you ever saw the movie, "Always", but in it, they were flying A26's.

Here's a follow-up:

'Shocking' Snowbird Rescue Wait
With loss of helicopters to budget cuts, race to fallen airmen took 47 minutes.

http://www.canada.com/news/national/story.html?id=07129522-f985-4e91-a0be-d363168e0404

Sad news, NorthOf45.

I hope the pilots made it out of their planes and are retreived safely.

I've seen the Snowbirds fly at several Air Shows at Andrews AFB.

They put on a much better show than the Thunderbirds!

Jack.

And these ar just the fatalities. At least twice a year there's an incident where the pilot has to eject.

Lest We Forget:

The Snowbirds are well-known for their skill, but they are not immune to tragedy. Five Snowbird pilots have lost their lives in the performance of their duty. We remember them! Every Snowbird performance is a tribute to these men ... and to all the men and women of the Canadian Forces 431 Air Demonstration Squadron who have dedicated themselves to excellence.

Capt Lloyd Waterer, Snowbird #8 Lead Solo
Killed during an airshow in Trenton Ontario 1972 Age 24

Capt Gordon de Jong, Snowbird #8 Lead Solo
Killed during an airshow in Grand Prairie, AB 1978 Age 32

Capt Wes Mackay, Snowbird #8 Lead Solo
Killed in a motor vehicle accident Pennsylvania 1988 Age 28

Capt Shane Antaya, Snowbird #2 Inner Right Wing
Killed during an airshow in Toronto Ontario 1989 (CNE) Age 26

Capt Michael VandenBos, Snowbird #2 Inner Right Wing
Killed during a training mission Moose Jaw December 10, 1998 Age 29

Capt Miles Selby, Snowbird #8 Opposing Solo
Killed during a training mission Moose Jaw December 10, 2004 Age 31

http://www.rcaf.com/snowbirds/

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