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NLIS 1
July 8, 2000
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)


Spray plane makes forced landing

A spray plane owned by Supermarine Inc., based out of Ontario, and operating as part of the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods (DFRA) 2000 Forest Insect Control Program, made a forced landing on Friday evening after experiencing engine problems. The aircraft is one of four operating as part of this year�s program.

The aircraft, a single engine Dromader M-18 spray plane, was in the process of treating spray block 215 (located east of Reef�s Harbour Junction on the Northern Peninsula) at approximately 9:00 p.m. when the pilot encountered the engine problems. The pilot immediately informed the DFRA aerial supervisor overseeing the spray operation, in a nearby helicopter, of the situation and then made the forced landing within the block in an area of ground vegetation and balsam fir regeneration. Prior to landing the aircraft the pilot dispersed a load of the biological insecticide B.t.k. into block 215, the block for which it was intended.

The pilot was not injured and was picked up by the aerial supervisor shortly after the incident. However, the aircraft sustained damage to the propellor, wings and undercarriage. The area was inspected for fuel and oil which may have leaked from the aircraft, however, none was detected.

Immediately after the incident occurred the contingency plan for such an incident was implemented and all necessary agencies including the Canadian Coast Guard, Environment Canada�s Environmental Protection Division and the provincial Department of Environment and Labour were notified. Transport Canada officials were also made aware of the incident.

B.t.k. is a naturally occurring product that can be found in soil and on plants around the world. B.t.k. has been extensively studied; in over 25 years of use, no significant environmental impacts have been observed. B.t.k is species specific and does not affect insects for which it is not intended. It also has no impact when eaten by fish, earthworms, amphibians, birds, mammals or humans. None of these have the alkaline gut in their digestive system necessary to activate B.t.k.

Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, (709) 729-6183, Fax: (709) 729-2076.

2000 07 08                     7:45 p.m.


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