Name of Royal Canadian Air Force pilot killed in CF-18 crash released

November 29, 2016 – Cold Lake, Alberta – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Shortly after 11 a.m. Mountain Standard Time, on November 28, a CF-18 Hornet from 4 Wing Cold Lake crashed inside the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range in Saskatchewan, not far from the Primrose Lake Evaluation Range.

Emergency services from 4 Wing, including 417 Combat Support Squadron, responded to the crash. Tragically, the pilot, Captain Thomas McQueen of Hamilton, Ontario did not survive.

The thoughts and prayers of 4 Wing, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Armed Forces are with the family, loved ones and friends of Captain McQueen during this difficult time.

A Flight Safety investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the accident.

Quotes

“We are deeply saddened by this incident and express our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and loved ones of Captain Thomas McQueen. We now turn our attention to providing whatever support we can to his family and to our men and women here in Cold Lake, who are deeply saddened by the loss of Captain McQueen.”

Colonel Paul Doyle, Commander 4 Wing and CFB Cold Lake

“On behalf of the men and women of 1 Canadian Air Division, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Captain McQueen. The Royal Canadian Air Force is a tight knit community and we are all mourning the loss of one of our own today.”

Brigadier-General David Lowthian, Acting Commander, 1 Canadian Air Division

"‎We have lost a member of our RCAF family, and it hurts. We will support the family of Captain McQueen, and his squadron, to the fullest. And while the investigation determines the cause of this incident, I commend our men and women who through their grief will continue to serve Canada to their fullest. Thomas, we will miss you."

Lieutenant-General Mike Hood, Commander, Royal Canadian Air Force

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Contacts

Captain Mathew Strong
Public Affairs Officer
4 Wing and CFB Cold Lake
(780) 840-8000 Ext. 8121