A fatal mid-air collision between two planes occurred in South Glengarry Township, Ont., on Saturday morning, resulting in the death of one individual, as reported by provincial police. The incident occurred at approximately 10:50 a.m., with a witness contacting the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) about ten minutes later, according to a Transportation Safety Board (TSB) spokesperson. The Cornwall-Summerstown Regional Airport saw the safe landing of one of the planes, a Piper Seminole, while the other, a Cessna 172, was discovered in a forest north of Martintown, near County Road 25 between Chapel Road and Concession Road 1. The only occupant of the Cessna was found deceased at the crash site and identified as a 28-year-old man from Montreal, as confirmed by OPP to Radio-Canada.
Following the crash, efforts to locate the Cessna were challenging due to its remote woodland location, mentioned Const. Serge Duguay. Fortunately, the plane was eventually found. The second plane had two individuals on board, both of whom were uninjured, according to Duguay. The TSB’s senior investigator, J.P. Regnier, indicated that both planes were engaged in separate training exercises at the time of the collision, which likely resulted in the Cessna 172 losing a wing. The severed wing has been recovered and sent to a TSB laboratory for examination.
Witness Glen Finbow described hearing a loud noise and witnessing the plane descending with only one wing intact. Finbow promptly contacted emergency services upon observing the aircraft’s descent. The TSB is organizing the retrieval of the Cessna 172 from the wooded area using specialized equipment, with investigators anticipated to remain on-site for several days. Both planes involved were associated with Cornwall Aviation Ltd., a local flight school, according to TSB information. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area and are seeking additional witnesses, with County Road 25 remaining closed as of 3 p.m.