Harrowing audio from air traffic control, analyzed by CBC News, unveils the tense moments preceding a small plane’s crash-landing near a Toronto high school on Monday night. The recording initiates with standard interactions, as someone aboard the aircraft requests landing clearance at Billy Bishop airport. However, the situation escalates swiftly when the individual alerts the air traffic control operator of a potential engine failure.
In a distressing call uploaded to LiveATC.net, the unidentified person on the plane reports the suspected engine issue. It remains unconfirmed whether it was the pilot or a passenger communicating with air traffic control. When questioned about reaching the airport, the response is negative, indicating imminent trouble. Subsequently, the radio transmission reveals the lack of viable landing options.
Urged by the air traffic controller to locate an alternate landing spot, the aircraft’s occupants express escalating distress. They announce an emergency landing in a soccer field, noting the presence of bystanders nearby. This marks the final communication heard from the plane.
Following the incident near Bloor Street, approximately two kilometers from the Don Valley Parkway, discussions ensue between air traffic control and emergency services regarding the plane’s last known location. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada reported that the aircraft, departing from Orillia and bound for Billy Bishop airport, encountered engine failure. Despite the crash outside Monarch Park Collegiate Institute, the pilot and two passengers emerged unharmed, as confirmed by Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop.
Monarch Park classes will proceed as scheduled, with a section of the parking lot cordoned off. Flight Club CEO Mathew Fernandez clarified that the Piper Cherokee aircraft executed a forced approach due to mechanical, human, or atmospheric factors. The plane, listed for rental on Flight Club’s website, mandates safety checks by the pilot before each flight, emphasizing the importance of thorough inspections and pilot competency evaluations.
Company protocol dictates that pilots undergo evaluations with certified instructors to ensure proficiency in safety assessments and critical flight maneuvers. According to Fernandez, aircraft owners prioritize qualified and competent pilots to access their planes, emphasizing stringent safety measures.
The aftermath of the small plane crash near Monarch Park Collegiate Institute in Toronto was captured in drone aerial footage, depicting a fortunate outcome as all three occupants walked away unscathed.