THUNDER BAY – A Bearskin Airlines plane that crashed during takeoff from Dryden in February with several high-profile Canadian curlers aboard is considered a loss, and now being sold for salvage online.
The 2000 Fairchild Metro SA227-DC aircraft is listed for sale online by Ritchie Bros., a U.S. heavy equipment auctioneer. A listing on an Facebook aviation buy and sell group sets the target price for the damaged plane at $40,000, but notes it will sell to the highest bidder by July 21 or earlier.
The story was first reported by CBC.
The plane veered off the runway in Dryden on Feb. 24, suffering heavy damage.
Two crew and six passengers were aboard, including eight-time Scotties skip Krista McCarville, her teammate Ashley Sippala, and their coach, two-time world curling champion Rick Lang, who suffered an injury to his hand.
The group had been headed home to Thunder Bay from the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Moose Jaw, Sask.
The incident has been under investigation by the Transportation Safety Board, which has not yet identified a mechanical cause of the accident. Preliminary findings from investigators indicated only that the plane lost control before hitting a snowbank.
“As [the aircraft] started the takeoff roll on Runway 12, the aircraft directional control was lost and the aircraft exited the right side of the runway,” an initial repor from TSB said. “The propellers subsequently contacted a snow bank and broke apart. Parts of the broken propellers penetrated the fuselage, injuring 1 passenger. The aircraft was substantially damaged.”
"The full extent of any damage is unknown and the current operating condition of the unit has not been verified," the sales listing warns prospective buyers.
