Tragic Mid-Air Crash: Two Aircraft Collide, Resulting in Fatalities

Tragic Mid-Air Crash: Two Aircraft Collide, Resulting in Fatalities

A tragic mid-air collision on Tuesday morning, July 8, claimed the lives of two student pilots during a routine training exercise in Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada.

The accident occurred around 8:45 a.m. as the pilots were practicing takeoffs and landings in small single-engine Cessna aircraft operated by Harv’s Air, a local pilot training school. According to school president Adam Penner, both aircraft appeared to be attempting to land simultaneously when they collided just a few hundred yards from the runway.

Penner stated that while the Cessnas were equipped with radios, initial observations suggest the pilots may not have seen each other approaching.
“We don’t understand how they got so close together,” he said. “We’ll have to wait for the investigation to determine exactly what happened.”

One of the victims was a female pilot early in her training, while the other was nearing completion of her commercial license. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Although authorities have yet to release the names of the victims, family members identified one as 20-year-old Savanna May Royes, describing her as "the essence of pure joy."
“Savanna's faith and laughter will forever touch everyone who was lucky enough to know her during her short life,” the family said in a heartfelt statement.

Local residents Lucille and Nathaniel Plett, who live near the airfield, recalled the terrifying sounds leading up to the crash.
“We heard a crackling, banging sound and then the engine went silent,” Lucille told Global News. “At first, we thought it was a stunt because that sometimes happens around here—but then we heard a loud crash and realized it was something serious.”

Nathaniel added that he soon saw a column of black smoke rise into the sky. “A little while later, we heard another loud bang and saw an even larger burst of smoke,” he said.

Investigators from Transport Canada and the Transportation Safety Board are expected to examine the incident in detail to determine the cause of the collision.