Water bomber crashes fighting Puntzi Lake Fire

[madadam]

From CBC news - http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-c ... -1.3147551

A water bomber has crashed while fighting the Puntzi Lake wildfire near Williams Lake, B.C.

Bill Yearwood, the investigator in charge with the Transportation Safety Board, said the accident involved a single engine amphibious water bomber.

"The 'Fire Boss' water bomber ran into some trouble while scooping water at Puntzi lake," said Yearwood. "The aircraft subsequently sank."

Yearwood said the pilot was able to escape with minimal injuries.

Kevin Skrepnek with the B.C Wildfire Management Branch said the pilot has been brought to hospital for further observation.

The 1,200 hectare fire in the province's Cariboo district was discovered on July 8 and is currently not contained at all.

[Star Light]

Pleased to know the pilot was able to escape with minimal injuries. Ta for posting this madadam.

[madadam]

Wondering if this crash is the same thing that happened in 2009 by Fintry with the same type of plane:

http://www.kelowna.com/2009/07/27/video ... -was-down/

[Swoop]

Wondering if this crash is the same thing that happened in 2009 by Fintry with the same type of plane:

http://www.kelowna.com/2009/07/27/video ... -was-down/

..from what I understand they are the same type aircraft - nothing about the cause yet that I've heard, although that could certainly be a possibility...