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Close call for pilots on tanker plane fighting Red Earth wildfire
MANNING, Alta. – A couple of pilots involved in the fight against wildfires in Alberta have had a close call.
RCMP say that on Thursday afternoon, a Convair 580 water-tanker plane was preparing to land at the airport in Manning, Alta., to refuel and restock fire-retardant after conducting fire-fighting efforts at Loon River near Red Earth Creek.
During the landing approach the pilot suffered a medical episode and the co-pilot was forced to land the plane.
During the emergency landing at the airport strip, the plane veered off the runway and came to rest in the ditch, luckily without catching fire.
The co-pilot was not injured and walked away from the crash, but the pilot suffered a cut to the head, though he was conscious and breathing when first responders arrived.
His injuries are not considered life-threatening.
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