Details of investigation into plane crash that killed former Alberta premier to be released Thursday

KELOWNA – The findings of an investigation into an airplane crash outside Kelowna two year ago that killed former Alberta premier Jim Prentice and three others will be released this week.

The National Transportation and Safety Board began investigating immediately after the Cessna Citation crashed into a forested area of Lake Country on Oct. 13, 2016.

No distress signal was broadcast prior to the crash, which killed the former Alberta premier, former RCMP officer Ken Gellatley, pilot Jim Kruk and Calgary businessman Sheldon Reid.

The findings of the investigation will be released Thursday, April 26, at a news conference in Calgary, according to a release from the Transportation Safety Board.

The plane didn't have an in-flight data or cockpit voice recorder, often referred to as a black box, making the investigation into the crash very difficult, safety board spokesperson Bill Yearwood said following the crash.

The press conference could also include an update into possible regulatory changes that would require even small commercial aircraft to carry a black box.

"Over the past 20 years, there have been significant developments in technology that are more cost-effective and these options will be explored," Transport Minister Marc Garneau said in a statement issued shortly after the crash.

The press conference will be streamed live.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw or call 250-718-0428 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Adam Proskiw

Adam has lived in B.C. most of his life. He was born in the Caribou, grew up in the Okanagan, went to university on Vancouver Island and worked as a news photographer in Vancouver. His favourite stories incorporate meaningful photography and feature interesting, passionate locals. He studied writing at UVic and photojournalism in California. He loves talking tractors, dogs and cameras and is always looking for a good story.


Adam Proskiw's Stories