Military family member loses life in Cold Lake Airshow plane crash

Royal Canadian Air Force family member Bruce Evans was killed on July 17 when his T-28 Trojan crashed during its performance at the Cold Lake Air Show.

“4 Wing and CFB Cold Lake and the Cold Lake Air Show express our condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Mr. Evans,” stated a Department of National Defence/ Canadian Armed Forces press release.

The cause of the crash is currently unknown, and an investigation is underway.

“We are deeply saddened by this incident and are providing our full support to Mr. Evans’ team here in Cold Lake. We express our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and loved ones of Mr. Evans,” said Col. Eric Kenny, Commander 4 Wing and CFB Cold Lake.

Witnesses say the aircraft dove nose first in the ground during the aerial acrobatic show.

“I just turned my head right at the end,” she said. “[The pilot] must have been performing something in the air like a loop and then he went just nose first into the ground. It’s really horrific. The plane was pulverized,” St. Albert city councillor Cathy Heron told CBC Edmonton News.

Evans, a professional Geologist, grew up in the RCAF family and was posted around the country during his childhood as a result of his father’s service as a radar specialist.

According to the Cold Lake Air Show biographies, aviation was a central part of Evans’ life and was crucial in his career in resource exploration. He even started his own Airborne Geophysical Survey Company.

Evans held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence with Instrumental Rating, a T-28 Endorsement and a low-level aerobatic clearance to 250’ and had accumulated 4,100 hours of flight time experience.

Above Photos: Images of Bruce Evans courtesy of www.vintagewings.ca. Left photo) Peter Handley. (Right photo) Dave O’Malley