Fender bender grounds RCMP plane

KIRSTEN MURPHY

A First Air forklift hit an RCMP Pilatus PC-12 during a stop-over in Hall Beach on Feb. 2, the airline confirmed.

The crash caused minor surface damage to the $4-million aircraft’s underbelly, said Jim Ballingall, First Air’s vice-president of marketing.

The plane, used for transferring prisoners, RCMP staff, lawyers and trial witnesses throughout Nunavut, remains grounded in Hall Beach, awaiting approval to fly south for repairs.

“It’s an unfortunate incident, but these situations occur from time to time in our industry,” Ballingall said.

The mishap left the RCMP scrambling to book seats on scheduled flights last week. The Pilatus replaced V Division’s Twin Otter a year ago.

The cause of the accident and cost of repairs are being investigated by insurance adjusters.

RCMP Inspector Jim MacDougall hoped the dented plane would be leaving Hall Beach for maintenance this week. MacDougall compared the accident to a fender bender between automobiles.

The division leased a temporary replacement plane that was scheduled to arrive in Iqaluit this week. The lease costs will be covered by the RCMP’s insurance.

“It’s been an inconvenience to say the least. The plane is an integral part of our day to day operations, and without it it causes us to do a lot of juggling,” MacDougall said.

The juggling included finding seats for lawyers and witnesses in the preliminary hearing of Jeremy Kuuk, 29, in Baker Lake this week. Kuuk has been charged with second-degree murder.

Swiss-made Pilatus planes are known for their ability to make short take-offs and landings – making them an ideal aircraft for Nunavut’s short and often unpaved runways.