Probe to investigate unlicensed flying in wake of crash
MARISSA NELSON
Tuesday, June 26, 2001
Investigators are trying to determine whether a fatal plane crash involving a man who did not have a pilot's licence indicates there is a widespread problem of unlicensed pilots of small craft.
"We're trying to determine whether this is an epidemic problem. . . . If it's a wider problem we'll upgrade the investigation," David Curry, lead investigator for the Transportation Safety Board, said yesterday. "We'll be putting our feelers out to see if it's a bigger problem."
About 8 p.m. last Wednesday, a light plane crashed into a helicopter just outside the village of Sandford, northeast of Toronto. The helicopter pilot, Anton Tyukodi, 45, of Toronto, died in the crash. The pilot of the plane, Miles Tunney, 56, of Mount Albert, made a forced landing in a field, but walked away unharmed.
Mr. Curry said he finished collecting information about how the crash happened last weekend and he is confident in his findings to date. He said the plane, which is still at the edge of a field near Uxbridge, was taking off from a private grass air strip and came up underneath the helicopter, which was en route from Lindsay to Toronto. The plane's nose hit the back blade of the helicopter. Divers combed the bottom of a nearby pond, but could not find the helicopter's main rotor.
Mr. Curry said the pilot of the plane had a learner's permit that expired in 1995, but had never had a proper pilot's licence. He also did not have insurance on the plane or the required medical or airworthiness certificates. However, Mr. Curry said he did not find any indication that Mr. Tunney had carried out any pilot procedures badly or in a way that would have caused the crash.
Mr. Tunney said yesterday that he had no comment on the case.
Detective Pearl Gabona of Durham Regional police said there will not be a criminal investigation into the crash. "I've found there does not seem to be any grounds for criminal charges," she said. Det. Gabona said they would likely never understand why the pilots of the two aircraft did not see each other before colliding.
"There's no indication there was anything untoward," she said. The family of Mr. Tyukodi has been told about the findings and understand why there will not be any criminal proceedings. "They're very good people, who say an accident is an accident," Det. Gabona said.
This week, Mr. Curry will talk to industry experts and owners of private grass airstrips to see whether there are any wider safety implications. "When we turn over the right rocks, it's quite easy to get information," he said.
An advocacy group for pilots and airplane owners said yesterday that there is no need for more regulations or policing of private pilots.
"All the regulations are in place," Kevin Psutka, president the of Canadian Pilots and Owners Association, said in Ottawa. "This is an extremely rare event."
Mr. Psutka said that many pilots do get asked for their certificates in spot checks.