Statement - Lieutenant-Colonel Lydia Evéquoz, Commander 9 Wing Gander, NL

News Article / March 11, 2022

As you know, on 10 March, at approximately 3:40 pm local time, a Royal Canadian Air Force CH-149 Cormorant helicopter with 103 Search and Rescue Squadron was involved in an accident upon return from a Standby posture training flight on the airfield at Gander International Airport.

There were six crew members on board: two pilots, two Flight Engineers and two Search and Rescue Technicians.

First responders from both Gander International Airport and 9 Wing attended the scene. Four of our members were taken to hospital, while two others were assessed at the scene as not requiring medical attention.

Three of those members taken to hospital have since been released while one remains in stable condition in hospital in good spirits with their family by their side.

I’m grateful for all Wing members, particularly members of 103 Squadron, who came together to support those impacted by this accident. 9 Wing is a small base, almost like a family, and in times like these our compassion and teamwork truly shines.

I also would like to thank the Gander International Airport, the first responders and staff at James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre for their professionalism and care of our injured as well as everyone from the community who has reached out and provided support over the last day.

An RCAF Directorate of Flight Safety team is now en route and will soon be arriving to lead the investigation into this accident. The RCAF’s Flight Safety program is part of the Department of National Defence’s commitment to the safe execution of aerospace operations through independent investigations.

As the investigation is in its preliminary stages, we cannot comment further at this time on the accident and it would be inappropriate to speculate what happened.

I wish to be clear that despite this unfortunate incident, rotary wing Search and Rescue capability throughout the Joint Search and Rescue Region Halifax is still available to conduct lifesaving missions on the East Coast including Newfoundland and Labrador.

Yesterday’s incident reminds us all that aviation— and search and rescue in particular – is not without risks. However, we have a resilient and dedicated team, military and civilian alike, that upholds the SAR motto “That others may live” every day and I could not be more proud.