Plane crashes into Massawippi Lake

Saturday morning around 11 a.m, a pilot in his 60s was flying his plane over the south end of lake Massawippi near the center of North Hatley when difficulties caused the aircraft to nosedive into the lake.
The pilot, whose name has yet to be released, was flying alone and, within seconds of the crash, was met by pleasure craft boaters who helped him to shore.
According to a Global News report, Montreal Canadians owner Geoff Molson was on the boat near the crash and assisted in the rescue.
The pilot was able to get himself off the boat and onto a doc where first responders assessed his injuries.
While he was scraped up in several places, the pilot did not suffer any serious injuries. Michael Page, the mayor of North Hatley, said that he was grateful no one had been hurt. “It’s a good thing that he crashed in the lake and not on land somewhere in the middle of the village,” he said. “Luckily, no bystanders were injured and the pilot is safe.”
The plane sank within minutes of hitting the water and is now sitting around 100 feet deep in Massawippi Lake. Divers were called to investigate the wreckage on Sunday morning and confirmed that there is no danger to the public. “The divers said there is no fuel in the tank of the plane and no leakage. Everything is under control and there is no dangerous situation,” said Mayor Michael Page. The lake is still accessible for boaters as the wreckage poses no threat to daily activity, but the area is being monitored.
As a precautionary measure, the village had any water pumps between the lake and the filtration plant shut off and, while there is no evidence of contamination to the water, officials are waiting to hear back from Environment Canada before resuming normal operations. Public safety and public health have been contacted and are working with the village to ensure things are handled in the safest way for everyone in town.
The cause of the crash is still unknown, but Canada’s Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation into the accident.
“We don’t know if it was human error or mechanical or what,” said Mayor Page. “All in all, looking at this quite dramatic crash, I think we’re quite blessed. No one was seriously injured, no bystanders, and the pilot is safe. The next step is fishing out the plane,” he said.

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