An engine failure is to blame for a small plane crashing in Monarch Park in É«É«À²’s east end on Monday night, investigators with the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) said.
The aircraft carrying three passengers had departed from Orillia, Ont., before it crashed near around 8:15 p.m. It was en route to Billy Bishop Island Airport, the TSB added.Â
The plane collided with a chain-link fence during a soccer match at the field near Monarch Park Collegiate. No injuries were reported.
People had been playing on the field at the time of the crash but no injuries were reported.
Sophie BouquillonIt is too early to determine what caused the engine failure but investigators have been interviewing witnesses and the passengers who were on board, the TSB said.
É«É«À² Fire Services confirmed that its hazmat team responded to the incident due to a potential fuel leak from the plane, which was later reported to have been contained.
“We got very lucky tonight,” É«É«À² Fire Chief Jim Jessop told media at the scene Monday night. “The plane crashed into the fence. As you can see the trees behind me, it appears to me that it came through the trees and then landed on the ground and skidded into the fence.
“We got very lucky tonight,” É«É«À² Fire Chief Jim Jessop told media at the scene Monday night. A hazmat unit from the fire services responded to the crash.
Sophie Bouquillon“I am happy to report there are no injuries to the occupants of the airplane and no injuries to the civilians who were playing soccer on the field — as you can see, the game continues.”
Classes at Monarch Park Collegiate continued as normal on Tuesday.
In addition to the school, the area also includes an off-leash dog park and several lowrise apartment buildings.Â
On Tuesday morning the plane lay in a corner, surrounded by the warped chain-link fence and roped off with yellow caution tape. Spectators climbed a slope towards the fence line to get a better view of the cordoned-off area where the wrecked plane remained.
Jesse Laine, a resident in the neighbourhood, was on his way to the playground with his two toddlers when he decided to check out the crash scene. He was at home when the plane crashed and said his wife heard “really loud engine” noises Monday night.
“I was about a hundred metres away. It could have landed on me,” said one witness.Â
Shortly after, sirens could be heard ringing through the neighbourhood.
“It’s very fortunate,” Laine said, noting that the plane crashed just before the field where people were playing soccer.
The plane will be removed from the park Tuesday afternoon, the TSB said.
A plane, matching the call numbers C-FXGC of the downed plane, is registered to the online Flight Club Life website for rental at $121 an hour.
É«É«À² police and fire services respond to an airplane that crashed near the Monarch Park soccer field in É«É«À² on Monday night.Â
Steve Russell/É«É«À² StarThe Piper Cherokee PA28-140 four-seater is described on the site as a “great time builder, based Downtown É«É«À² CYTZ (Billy Bishop airport), with the best view in the city!”
It goes on to say they are seeking pilots that will “consistently fly. 25 hour block times required. $250 for insurance costs (1 year).”
With files from Asma Sahebzada
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