Two pilots had to abandon a turboprop training aircraft when they determined it would not be safe to attempt a controlled landing.
On Jan. 24, the crew of a Royal Canadian Air Force’s CT-156 Harvard II (the Royal Canadian AF version of the US built T-6 Texan II trainer) experienced what the RCAF calls a “controlled ejection” during their landing approach at 15 Wing Moose Jaw.
An issue with the turboprop landing gear had developed during the flight, and it led to the eventual “controlled ejection.” When the pilots realized they had a problem with the gear, a second aircraft from the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 15 Moose Jaw Wing launched from the Saskatchewan training air base to survey the issue. The observers in the second aircraft determined the problem could result in a dangerous landing attempt, so the Wing Operations decided that an ejection was the prudent course of action.
Both pilots walked safely from the incident and are being treated for very minor injuries. In the meantime, the flight training at the base has been paused pending further review of the incident and other safety procedures.
Winston Smith for the Aviationist
Image credit: Royal Canadian Air Force