The Royal Canadian Air Force has temporarily paused flight operations of its aerobatic team after a pilot ejected from a flight moments before the squadron was due to perform at the Atlanta Air Show.
The RCAF announced that the pause will be in place “as a precaution” while the cause of the crash is under investigation.
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds, which is Canada's equivalent to the U.S. Thunderbirds, were scheduled to perform at the Atlanta Air Show on Sunday afternoon at Tara Field near Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, AJC.com previously reported.
Update to @CFSnowbirds CT-114 Tutor ejection on October 13. pic.twitter.com/OqR2g5rgK4
— Royal Canadian Air Force (@RCAF_ARC) October 15, 2019
Capt. Kevin Domon-Grenier, a pilot with the Snowbirds, ejected from his aircraft shortly before the squadron was due to perform, the Snowbirds announced on Twitter. His CT-144 Tutor plane crashed in a field in southern Fayette County prior to the show’s opening.
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The pilot made it safely to the ground and is OK, the Snowbirds said. According to Fayette County authorities, he was taken by helicopter to a hospital for evaluation.
No one on the ground was injured, and there was no reported damage to any homes or other structures.
MORE: Investigation underway after pilot due to perform at air show ejects from plane
“The crash is being investigated by the appropriate authorities,” Fayette County fire officials said on Facebook.
The team will not be travelling to Houston, Texas this weekend for our final scheduled show of the 2019 season. We regret we won't get to perform for fans at Wings over Houston, however determining the cause of the accident is our top priority right now. https://t.co/VhX5lXCJ1G
— CF Snowbirds (@CFSnowbirds) October 15, 2019
The cause of the crash remains unclear. In a statement, RCAF said the Snowbirds squadron will be grounded for “as long as needed to ensure the aircraft can be operated safely.”
The team was scheduled to travel to Houston, Texas, this weekend for its final show of the season. In a statement, it said that performance is canceled.
“We regret we won't get to perform for fans at Wings over Houston, however determining the cause of the accident is our top priority right now,” the Snowbirds said.
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