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Ontario man dies in plane crash north of Pemberton

Was heading home to Alberta

A plane crash late last week resulted in the death of the single-engine craft’s lone occupant.

Robert James Buchanan, pilot of the Cessna T207A, died when the plane crashed near a forest service road about 32 kilometres north of Pemberton on Thursday, May 18.

The 36-year-old Hamilton, Ontario resident was under contract with Environment Canada to conduct a three-and-a-half week vertical survey of Pemberton’s air chemistry. The experimental testing consisted of using a laser beam to detect and determine if air pollutants from Asia were making their way to the Pemberton area.

Having completed the project the day before, he was on his way to Edmonton at the time of the accident.

The Rescue Coordination Centre, along with Pemberton RCMP, B.C. Forestry and the B.C. Coroners Service, responded to the incident after receiving a report of the crash at 3:42 p.m. The weather conditions on that day were clear and hot.

An RCMP news release confirmed that there was no sign of foul play. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada and the B.C. Coroners Service are continuing with the investigation.