Medevac flight makes unscheduled landing in Prince Albert

The chief executive officer of Transwest Air says the decision to land a medevac flight in Prince Albert on Saturday was done out of an abundance of caution and followed some abnormal engine readings.

The plane travelling from Stony Rapids to Saskatoon was transporting one patient and had two crew on board, as well as two emergency medical service personnel.

At 12:24 p.m., Transwest Air dispatch received a call on the radio from the crew that they were experiencing an in-flight reportable aviation incident. Derek Nice told paNOW the crew made the decision to shut down one engine.

“Our pilots followed standard operating procedures after observing momentary fluctuations in engine parameters,” he said.

Nice explained the aircraft is currently at the company’s maintenance base in Prince Albert, and engineers are investigating the cause of the fluctuations. That airplane won’t fly while the investigation is going on.

Everyone on board was reported to be fine. The patient was taken to hospital in Saskatoon by ambulance.

As per company protocols, Transport Canada and the Transport Safety Board were contacted and apprised of the situation. Additionally, a safety management system report has been initiated.

Nigel Maxwell, paNOW