The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) says the investigation into a plane landing on a Prince George road and crashing into vehicles, leaving one person dead, could take up to 450 days to complete.
The federal agency is reviewing the Aug. 20 incident, which saw a twin-engine Beech King Air 200 make an emergency landing along the three-lane Foothills Boulevard, hitting four vehicles and resulting in the death of well-known volunteer Alex Garneau, who was on the road at the time.
So far, the only information about the incident’s cause released by the TSB is that the plane lost power to a single engine, prompting it to come down.
However, aviation experts have pointed out that model of plane is supposed to be able to fly on just one of its two engines.
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Former TSB investigator Bill Yearwood previously told CBC News he believed other factors would have contributed to the decision to touch down on a busy roadway, and said he would be waiting to see what the final report uncovers.
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However, it could be well over a year before that report is released. The TSB said this week it has moved into the analysis and examination phase of a Class 3 investigation.
Class 3 is considered a “detailed investigation” that requires a “high level of effort and is of medium complexity,” the TSB website says.
“This type of investigation report includes analysis, has findings, and may result in recommendations. The investigation is generally completed within 450 days.”
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However, the TSB also says investigation updates may be released in advance of the final report being prepared, and that a special landing page for those updates is being created on its website.
The plane was registered to Sekani Air Ltd., an industry charter flight company based in Prince George, which has declined to comment.
The TSB says the plane was destined for the Prince George Airport from the remote Sturdee Airstrip in northwest B.C.
It was carrying two pilots and six passengers belonging to three different companies related to the resource industry in northwest B.C. No one on board was injured.
No further details have been released.
