A kit plane modelled after a Second World War Spitfire crashed on takeoff at an airport near Olds on Monday morning.
RCMP said police, firefighters and ambulance responded to the crash of the single-engine warbird replica about 10:40 a.m. at the Olds-Didsbury Airport, which is located about six km south of Olds.
“Upon arrival, the lone male pilot was located outside of the aircraft and was treated on scene by EMS and later transported to Calgary hospital for further assessment,” says RCMP.
Transportation Safety Board of Canada spokesman Alex Fournier said “basically, the pilot lost direction and the plane nose-dived right after taking off.
“He was barely taking off, then he nose-dived right away.”
Fournier said the aircraft suffered significant damage.
The plane is a home-built, two-seat MK 26B Supermarine Spitfire. It is 90 per cent of the size of its famous Battle of Britain inspiration.
The Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate, he said.
“We’re going to see if there is any concern for a safety deficiency,” he said. “That’s the main criteria in this case to decide if we’re pushing this further.”
Police say alcohol and drugs were not a factor in the crash. Whether weather played a role is still under investigation.
The name of the pilot has not been released.
pcowley@reddeeradvocate.com