Two people died after a plane crash near Deacon’s Corner and Highway 15 on Friday morning, Recreational Aircraft Association President Jim Oke told CTV News Friday afternoon.
The Springfield Fire Department says the plane went down at about 9:30 a.m. after take-off from Lyncrest Airport.
RCMP along with emergency responders from Winnipeg rushed to the site and found the wreckage in flames.
The Transportation Safety Board says it revived a report of a Piper PA 28-140 crashing east of Winnipeg at 10:18 a.m.
TSB Spokesperson Roxanne Daoust could not confirm the number of passengers or extent of injuries, but said she expects the TSB to release more information later Saturday.
Springfield Fire Department Chief Jeff Hudson said firefighters extinguished a small fire from the wreckage.
“It is disturbing, because we know a lot of people out of that flight centre,” said Fire Chief Jeff Hudson. “They’re a very tight family."
The fire department says ambulances did not take any patients from the crash site to hospital.
Chief Jeff Hudson talks about impact crash has on the community. Says arriving at site was disturbing. #ctvwpg pic.twitter.com/sCR0fRh2BE
— Beth Macdonell (@BethCTV) July 1, 2016
Ambulance leaves gravel road leading to plane crash site near Deacons Corner and Hwy 15. #ctvwpg pic.twitter.com/fOO8rWcfiO
— Beth Macdonell (@BethCTV) July 1, 2016
A CTV viewer witnessed Stars Ambulance arrive at the crash site.
Oke says plane was factory-made and about 20 years old. The pilot had beginning to intermediate experience.
Flying community mourns deaths
Springfield Flying Club member Norm Leray says the deaths are a loss in a great community.
"Obviously you don't want anyone hurt. I feel bad for the families,” he said from Lyncrest Airport.
Lyncrest Airport manager Jim Gould tells CTV News there hasn't been a crash out of the airport in 24 years.
Lyncrest airport manager Jim Gould says there hasn't been a crash out of here in 24 years. #ctvwpg pic.twitter.com/RWTvAwXuxi
— Beth Macdonell (@BethCTV) July 1, 2016
The plane belongs to the Recreational Aircraft Association. It has two planes based at the Lyncrest Airport, and 30 members which use its aircraft.
Oke said the pilot in the crash would be considered a beginner to intermediate experienced-level flyer, and the plane was factory made 20 years ago.
“We know each other and fly for fun, and have a good time, and we are very sad two members have lost their lives very tragically on this holiday," said Winnipeg chapter president Jim Oke.
Oke and other pilots at the airport all agreed, it was a beautiful day to go up in the air.
"This is a perfect day, I mean the clouds are high, the ceiling is high as we would call, it and it's clear so we can see everything," said pilot Norm Leray.
Springfield Fire Dept on scene of plane crash near Deacons Corner. #ctvwpg pic.twitter.com/a0XE3XAIeS
— Beth Macdonell (@BethCTV) July 1, 2016
The Springfield Flying Club has about 100 members and has been in operation since the 1940s. The Lyncrest Airport remains open.
