CHATSWORTH – On July 29 at approximately 6pm, Grey County OPP officers responded to a report of an unresponsive male after an aircraft crashed in the southwest corner of Sideroad 15 and Southgate Road 8, near Mount Forest in the Township of Southgate.
The Dundalk Fire Department and Grey County Emergency Services (EMS) attended the scene.
Police say the pilot was one of many glider enthusiasts from the Toronto Soaring Club flying gliders in the area when the mishap occurred. The victim abandoned his aircraft and deployed his parachute at an unknown altitude after his aircraft encountered mechanical difficulties.
The victim, David Mulders, 57, of Aurora, collided with the ground. He was air-lifted to London Hospital with life-threatening injuries. On Monday he remained in critical condition.
The investigation is in its early stages and police say further information will be released as it becomes available. The Transport Safety Board of Canada is investigating and the Mount Forest Identification Services Unit is assisting in the investigation.
Another pilot down
ERIN – Earlier in the day on July 29, at about 3:30pm, Wellington County OPP officers responded to a report of an airplane crash on Wellington Road 124 between the 6th Line and Trafalgar Road.
Investigation revealed that a Ridgerunner single-seat ultra-light aircraft took off from a private airstrip near Brisbane and immediately experienced engine difficulty.
The pilot attempted to glide back to the airstrip but was forced to perform an emergency landing in a hay field. The plane suffered damage to the landing gear and undercarriage.
The pilot, Clive Wilkonson 70, of Georgetown, suffered minor bruising but did not require medical attention.
The Transport Safety Board was notified of the crash.
