MARATHON, ON – On Monday, November 6, 2017, at approximately 03:20 p.m. members of the Marathon/Manitouwadge Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to an airplane crash East of Marathon.
Wilderness Air assisted with a helicopter and two OPP officers to locate the aircraft. The pilot was able to communicate with officers using his cellphone and help pinpoint his location as approximately 5km North West of Highway 17 in a heavily wooded area near Rouse Lake.
JRCC Trenton attended with Hercules aircraft, helicopter, and Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR TECHS). Two SAR TECHS were deployed to secure and evacuated the pilot.
The pilot and only occupant, Chad MULCHAND, a 32-year-old male from Edmonton, AB was evacuated by SAR TECHS and transported to a local hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.
The plane, a Cessna model 150L was on route to Marathon, ON from Earlton, ON. The pilot stated he experienced a loss of power due to running low on fuel and had to conduct an emergency landing in a wooded area.
Emergency services including the Marathon Fire Department (MFD), Superior North Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Anishinabek Police Service (APS), and OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT) attended the area to assist. All were released once the location was confirmed and not accessible by anyone other than SAR TECHS.
The Transportation Safety Board is aware of the occurrence and has been in touch with the parties involved. In a statement to NNL, the TSB report, “It has been determined that in this case, a full investigation would not contribute to advancing transportation safety. A facts summary will be added to our database for statistical and trend analysis but no final report will be produced.”
