B.C. float plane passengers died from crash’s impact, not drowning: TSB

VANCOUVER – The Transportation Safety Board says all four people who died after a float plane crashed near Tofino, in May were killed on impact.

TSB investigator Bill Yearwood says unlike other recent crashes in B.C., the pilot and three passengers didn’t die from drowning.

Six people were killed after a crash off Saturna Island last November and a TSB investigation found four of them were able to get their seatbelts off as the plane sank, but couldn’t get out of the doors.

Their deaths sparked calls for quick-release doors and for all float plane passengers to wear life vests.

Yearwood says investigators still don’t know exactly what caused the Tofino crash, but have determined it wasn’t survivable because of the force with which the plane hit the water.

He says he’s hoping a final report on the crash will be released within a year.

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