Plane Crash In Abbotsford Airport: At Least 5 Hospitalized After Air Show

A small plane participating in an air show at the Abbotsford International Airport, Canada, crashed after the show ended Saturday, injuring five people.

“#Abbotsford emergency services are on scene at @yxxairport for a plane crash involving a 1930’s era biplane on scene which occurred shortly after the @AbbyAirshow had ended. Five on board with various injuries were transported to area hospitals. Airport expected to be open @ 9 pm” the Abbotsford Airport tweeted.

The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. PDT (8:30 p.m. EDT), just after the air show had ended and involved a 1930s-era biplane (a deHaviland Dragon Rapide) operated by a museum taking part in the show, according to the statement by the Abbotsford Airport.

According to B.C. Emergency Health Services, all the five injured — the pilot and four adult passengers — were onboard the passenger plane when it crashed. While three of them received minor injuries and were transported by ground to the hospitals in stable condition, the other two were critically injured and had to be airlifted from the crash site, CBC reported.

The identities of the injured were not released. Also, it is not clear if anyone on the ground was impacted due to the crash.

The cause of the crash is yet undetermined, as the only information regarding it on the Abbotsford Airshow’s Facebook post was that the aircraft “experienced difficulties on the airfield.” Further details will be available once the Transportation Safety Board completes its investigation of the crash site.

David Kent, who witnessed the incident told CTV News the aircraft took off but began rocking from side to side. Soon, its right wing clipped the ground, making the aircraft dive nose-first into the runway.

"It came to an instant stop and fortunately there were no flames," Kent said.

The Abbotsford Airport was temporarily closed for a few hours before reopening. Despite the incident, the air show scheduled for Sunday will proceed as planned, a statement from the Airshow said.

The Abbotsford Airshow is a three-day festive event during which pilots fly civilian and military planes in aerobatic stunts and performances.

According to its website, the air show dates back to 1962 and was “named one of the World’s Top Ten Airshows in 2013.”

“The Abbotsford International Airshow continues to distinguish itself through its commitment to aviation excellence, aerospace advancement, and community participation,” the website added.