Canadian Snowbird Pilot Dead After Crash in Montana

The plane flown by the Snowbirds is the Canadair CT-114 Tutor, they are part of the Canadian Air Force.

Canadian Forces Snowbirds Photo courtesy: Canadian Forces Snowbirds

(MALMSTROM, Mont. ) - Officials at an airshow in Malmstrom, Montana say a Canadian Forces "Snowbird" pilot crashed his jet into the ground during rehearsals for two air shows scheduled for this weekend.

CTV Newsnet says the pilot has not yet been identified. A spokesman for the 15 Wing "Moose Jaw" told reporters that all pilots flying on Friday are veterans of the team.

The International Herald Tribune says that during the maneuvers over the base, a plane broke from the formation and crashed. That information came from FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer. The pilot was not able to eject from the single engine jet.

The plane flown by the Snowbirds is the Canadair CT-114 Tutor, they are part of the Canadian Air Force. The jets have a top speed of 750 kilometers per hour with their signature smoke tanks attached, and weigh 7,170 pounds.

Like the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels in the U.S., The Snowbirds perform high-speed, low-altitude maneuvers at air shows. This is the sixth Snowbird pilot killed since 1972.

The team was preparing to perform Saturday and Sunday in Great Falls, Mont. at Malmstrom's Open House and Sport Auto-Rama.

The last Snowbirds plane crash happened Aug. 24th, 2005 when Capt. Andrew Mackay lost control of his jet in a rural area west of Thunder Bay, Ont.

The outcome was better in that event, Mackay was able to eject from the jet before the crashed and he wasn't injured.

The Snowbirds fly CT-114 Tutor jets have been used by the team since 1971. It's the same jet that Canadian Forces have used in basic pilot training since 2000.