Names released for pilot, passenger killed in Vancouver Island float plane crash

VANCOUVER – The BC Coroners Service has identified two men who died in a float plane crash on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Grant Clifford Howatt, a 66-year-old pilot from Ladysmith, and Charles Henry Turner, a 63-year-old from Courtenay, were on board the Air Nootka plane with four other people when it went down a week ago.

The group was on its way to Gold River from Hesquiaht (HESH-kwit) Lake, north of Tofino, when the plane crashed moments after takeoff.

Two of the survivors walked away from the wreckage unharmed, while two others suffered serious injuries.

Friends of Turner say a private memorial to celebrate his life will be held Saturday in Courtenay.

Investigators continue to probe the deaths and the cause of the crash.

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