Royal Canadian Air Force members recovered from CH-147F Chinook helicopter crash identified

June 23, 2023 – Winnipeg – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Following the official identification by the Coroner, and in accordance with the wishes of their families, the Royal Canadian Air Force is releasing the names of the two air crew members killed in the CH-147F Chinook crash on June 20, 2023, near Garrison Petawawa, Ontario. The two deceased members are:

• Captain David Domagala
• Captain Marc Larouche

Captain David Domagala, 32, originally of Woodstock, Ontario, served in the Canadian Army Reserve before applying to become a pilot. After graduating from the Royal Military College, he completed pilot training and was posted to 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron in 2019. He deployed as a liaison officer on Operation CALUMET in Egypt, for which he received a Commander Commendation from Canadian Joint Operations Command. He commenced his training on the CH-147F Chinook upon redeployment.

Captain Marc Larouche, 53, originally of Amos, Quebec, earned a private pilot’s license before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force as a pilot. After attaining his pilot’s wings in 1993, he served with several squadrons, flying the CH-135 Twin Huey, CH-146 Griffon and CH-147F Chinook helicopters. He deployed internationally on Operation DELIVERANCE in Somalia and domestically on Operation PODIUM in British Columbia.

As we grieve, the Royal Canadian Air Force asks the media and public to respect the privacy of the families of the fallen.

The investigation by the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Directorate of Flight Safety remains ongoing.