Homebuilt Death
A 75-year-old man from Courtenay, B.C., is dead after his small plane crashed in Comox Valley on Vancouver Island.
RCMP received a 911 call Wednesday morning after a witness saw the small plane come apart and then crash.
“Witnesses said that a piece of the wing fell off and he made a descent into the trees and crashed,” said Annand. “They now have found the plane — the wreckage — and found Bert, and he is deceased. They’re sure it’s him; they found his pilot’s license and everything on him.”
Annand said Bert built the Jodel plane he was flying out of wood and fabric, from plans.
Mr. Smit, who was in his 70s, had “about 10 years experience as a pilot.” He was flying a two-seater, Jodel that he built himself and at least three witnesses reported seeing a wing fall off the plane as it passed overhead, Mr. Annand said.
A group of loggers who were working in the area saw the plane break up and called authorities to report the crash.
