Snowbirds' Moncton stop cancelled after ejection problem

Technical problems that could undermine the safety of an emergency ejection have forced the cancellationof aSnowbirds performance in the Moncton area.

The Canadian Air Force's aerobatic team was scheduled to perform over the city this coming Wednesday.

But a technical issue with a tool that sets the timing for parachutes during ejection has caused the planes to be grounded.

"We have full confidence that this issue will be resolved in a safe manner, working with a third-party aviation contractor and our own technical and maintenance experts," said Maj.-Gen. Eric Kenny, Commander 1 Canadian Air Division.

After the problem is solved,the parachutes in the CT-114 Tutor aircraft willhave to be retested and repacked, a news release said.

The cancellation comes two years after a Snowbirds aircraft crashed in Kamloops, B.C., killing one of the two crew on board.

Capt. Jenn Casey, the public affairs officer for the aerobatics team, died after she was ejected from the aircraft.

A final report on the crash stated abird strike caused anengine compressor failure.

After his aircraft lostpower, the pilot, Capt. Richard MacDougall, tried to turn back towardthe airport. During that manoeuvre, "the aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall and the pilot gave the order to abandon the aircraft," the military said in a statement.

The final report said MacDougall and Casey ejectedfrom the aircraft "at low altitude and in conditions that were outside safe ejection seat operation parameters."

Video evidence showedthat Casey's ejection seat also flew backwards for a few seconds after it was clear of the aircraft, something investigators have been unableto completely explain.

• Bird strike blamed in fatal crash of Canadian military Snowbird jet

The Department of National Defence said there is no linkbetween the current issues and the 2020 crash. The Snowbirds say they're working hard to get the problemfixed in time for Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa.

Had the Moncton show gone ahead, it would have marked MacDougall'sfirst time with the Snowbirds since the 2020 event. He was set to be the on-stage narrator of the Snowbirds performance this week.

MacDougall, whoreceived his private pilotlicence at the Moncton Flight College,was posted to the Snowbirds in 2019.