MRU to conduct internal review following fatal plane crash
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As an investigation into what caused a fatal plane crash west of the city continued Wednesday, Mount Royal University said it will be conducting an internal review into the incident that claimed the lives of two flight instructors.
Reynold Johnson and fellow MRU instructor Jeffrey Bird were killed Monday when the twin-engine Tecnam they were flying crashed northwest of Cochrane.
The two pilots were practising their skills, following a prescribed flight program part of the curriculum when the crash happened, university officials said.
MRU’s director of emergency operations for this incident told reporters Wednesday the aviation program is overseen by a “highly qualified safety officer.”
“We will conduct an internal review and internal investigation of the incident that will come in the future when all other regulatory bodies have completed their investigation,” Peter Davison said.
Davison said MRU’s fleet of planes is maintained by an external operator.
Investigators with the Transportation Safety Board were at the scene of the accident Wednesday morning as the wreckage of the aircraft was recovered and brought to Edmonton. The two investigators were then scheduled to go to the Mount Royal University offices at the Springbank Airport to gather information and conduct interviews.
Jon Lee, western regional manager for the Transportation Safety Board in Edmonton, said the plane departed from the Springbank Airport Monday and was to return there.
“The aircraft was flying in an area where a lot of flight training does occur and it’s an area where you don’t have to be in continual contact with air traffic control,” Lee explained.
According to a statement from Johnson’s family released by MRU Wednesday, the pilot known as Reyn was a proud and devoted grandfather who brought a thorough and prepared approach to life and work.
“As a pilot, he took pride in detail, even insisting on ironing his own shirts, not just to look professional, but because he thought that a job worth doing was worth doing right. He raised his two children, Luc and Maryse to also be strong and independent, passing on his eye for detail and precision.
“The last photo taken of Reyn is of him lovingly holding his newest grandchild, born just three days before Reyn’s passing.”
He logged more than 20,000 flight hours in over 15 different airplanes in his career.
Johnson and his wife Brenda moved to Calgary in 1985, where he worked for Jordan Flight Training and Business Flights charters. He was hired by Time Air in 1988 and worked as a captain for Canadian Regional Airlines and Jazz Airlines before retiring in April 2015.
He had been instructing at Mount Royal Aviation since September 2016.
Steve Linthwaite, vice-president of flight operations with Jazz Aviation, said in a statement Wednesday that Johnson was a pilot who was well-liked and respected by his colleagues.
“We are deeply saddened by this news and extend our most sincere condolences to family and friends and to the Mount Royal University community,” said Linthwaite.
A GoFundMe page set up by a group of Bird’s friends is aiming to raise $25,000 to support the pilot’s two young children.
Alisha O’Neill, who went to school with Bird and had known him for more than 20 years, described the man known as Jeff as very kind and a dedicated individual.
“Very much a family man, who really, really cared for Carly and his two kids, so that was his world,” said O’Neill.
“He loved flying, but his ultimate passion was his family.”
O’Neill said while Bird had just recently started his position as a flight instructor at Mount Royal University, he was very passionate about the job and was enjoying teaching.
Before joining MRU’s aviation program, Bird spent 10 years with the Royal Canadian Air Force, including a tour in Afghanistan in 2011.
According to the GoFundMe page, any funds raised from the campaign will go directly to Bird’s children “to ensure they’re set up for success in the future and will understand just how much of (an) impact their Dad made on all of us.”
A memorial service is being planned for Bird at 2 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the Bella Concert Hall at Mount Royal University.
Mount Royal University president David Docherty said Tuesday that for the two pilots, “flying was their life.”
“They wanted to teach others to fly and fulfil their dreams, so it’s been very difficult,” Docherty said.
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