The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has released a report about a high-profile plane incident near Cranbrook during the 2022 wildfire season.

The report says, a firefighting aircraft was conducting aerial operations in the Connell Ridge area, at the site of multiple wildfires, when it went down on Aug 22, 2022.

The report says the plane lost power in one engine for undetermined reasons. Unable to restore power, the pilot selected a reforested area and completed an emergency landing in the trees, approximately 200 metres from the edge of the forest fire.

The pilot escaped with minor injuries after the plane was guided down by a nearby helicopter.

The TSB says the pilot was well-equipped for the scenario.

“The investigation also determined that the pilot’s decision making, experience, and recent training assisted in a successful outcome. Additionally, the pilot’s use of a flight helmet, the 5-point harness, windscreen design, and slow impact speed all reduced his injuries.”

The report says Conair, a firefighting aerospace company, has provided all its pilots flying the same class of plane with engine failure simulator training, as a result of the 2022 accident.