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Written by Citizen staff
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Saturday, 06 September 2008 |
Paul MacKay is the name of the pilot who was killed last month when the ultralight he was flying crashed into Moose Lake, the RCMP confirmed Friday. The 57-year-old man from Hinton, Alta. had been presumed dead ever since rescue efforts failed to locate the small aircraft after the Aug. 4 crash into the east end of the lake in Mount Robson Provincial Park.
Shortly after the crash, Valemount RCMP said a caller had seen the plane flying eastbound about 200 feet above the water. For an unknown reason, the aircraft suddenly went into a downward spiral, crashing into the middle of the lake. Moments later, it sunk with no signs of MacKay.
A search was conducted by Search and Rescue personnel, the Jasper National Parks Warden Service and an RCMP dive team, which descended 130 feet without success. An underwater camera was also used in the search. In addition, police brought in a Search and Rescue specialist from the Okanagan. The specialist utilized side scan sonar but was unsuccessful in locating the aircraft.
Police said the lake is extremely cold, about 250 to 290 feet deep, with no visibility below 60 feet.
The plane and MacKay's body were located by sonar and confirmed by underwater camera Aug. 23 in about 278 feet of water by Nuytco Research Ltd., an independent commercial diving company from the Lower Mainland.
After extensive planning, the recovery team managed to bring the plane to the surface and pulled it to shore over the course of two days this week.
The B.C. Coroners Service continues to investigate.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 06 September 2008 )
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