Pilot dead after plane crashes in Nanaimo, RCMP says

A fatal plane crash occurred in Nanaimo early Thursday morning, leaving no survivors, according to the RCMP. The crash took place in a wooded area near Twilight Way around 3 a. m. Bill Alder, president of Sealand Flight Ltd. , confirmed that the aircraft was a Sealand Flight Cessna 172.

Alder expressed devastation over the loss, stating, “Aviation is a small community, and Sealand Flight is like a family. ” Police reported a significant debris field at the crash site, with officers remaining on the scene as the investigation continues. The crash happened approximately eight kilometers from Nanaimo Airport. The BC Coroners Service stated that only one individual was involved in the incident. This tragedy underscores the risks associated with aviation training and the tight-knit nature of the local flying community.