Remains of second crew member identified from CH-148 Cyclone accident

Yesterday, on May 9, 2020, the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario identified the partial remains of Captain Brenden Ian MacDonald. 

He was one of the six military members killed in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) helicopter accident on April 29.

During the recovery efforts, partial remains were discovered and have now, through DNA testing, positively been identified. 

Originally from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia Captain Brenden Ian MacDonald was a Pilot. 

Captain MacDonald’s family, and the families of the other crew members lost in the accident, have all been notified of this identification.

Previously identified was Sub-Lieutenant Abbigail Cowbrough. 

Four other members are presumed dead, after the crash of a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CH-148 Cyclone helicopter.

Still missing and presumed dead are:

• • • Captain Kevin Hagen, Pilot, originally from Nanaimo, British Columbia
    • Captain Maxime Miron-Morin, Air Combat Systems Officer, originally from Trois-Rivières, Québec
    • Sub-Lieutenant Matthew Pyke, Naval Warfare Officer, originally from Truro, Nova Scotia
    • Master Corporal Matthew Cousins, Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator, originally from Guelph, Ontario

The helicopter was deployed with HMCS Fredericton in the Mediterranean Sea as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 under Operation REASSURANCE. At the time of the accident, the Canadian ship was conducting collaborative training with Italian and Turkish ships. The Cyclone was conducting concurrent flight operations.

A Repatriation Ceremony was held for the fallen on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, at C.F.B. Trenton. 

An RCAF Flight Safety team is continuing to investigate the circumstances of the accident. Recovery efforts and search for additional remains will continue.

The press release noted the CAF are providing their members and their families with as much support as possible, including a wide range of resources to help them through this difficult time.