Cochrane, Alberta – On July 29, 2023, at approximately 1:00 a.m., the Cochrane and Canmore RCMP were notified by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton (JRCC) of an overdue aircraft that had departed from Springbank Airport in Rocky View County on July 28, 2023, at approximately 8:47 p.m.
The aircraft, which included one pilot and five passengers on board, had a destination of Salmon Arm, B.C. Information was received that the aircraft had not made it to destination and the location was unknown at the time.
The JRCC tasked a Winnipeg-based Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CC-130H Hercules from the 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron to conduct the search. The crew honed in on the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) to the crash site on Mount McGillivary. Alberta Parks Mountain Rescue responding with Alpine Helicopters and a Comox-based RCAF CH-149 Cormorant from the 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron were dispatched to assist.
Alberta Parks Mountain Rescue were also assisted by Alberta Health Services (AHS), Kananaskis Emergency Services and Alberta Conservation.
The Hercules crew and Alberta Parks Mountain Rescue program responders confirmed there were no survivors.
All six bodies have been recovered and the RCMP have secured the scene until the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) conduct their investigation.
Alberta RCMP and The Canadian Armed Forces extends condolences to the families and friends of those aboard the aircraft.
As the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are taking lead on this investigation, there will be no further comment from the RCMP.
Cochrane RCMP
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