Local News

_{Mabel Lake Airstrip}

_{Photo: Mabel Lake Resort and Airpark}

Unsettled weather and heavy winds are thought to have played a factor in a plane crash that occurred this past Sunday in the Lumby area and left two men dead.

Brothers Thomas and Joseph Huwer perished when the small plane they were in crashed into a field on the family farm shortly after taking off from the Mable Lake Airstrip at around 3:15 p.m.

“Family members were watching the plane as it took off,” says RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk.

The plane attempted to return to the airstrip on two occasions.  On the third attempt, says Molendyk, the aircraft appeared to shake heavily before crashing in a field owned by the family.

“The plane caught fire on impact,” says Molendyk, adding that fire and ambulance officials attended the scene of the crash.

The 53 year old pilot Thomas Huwer as well as his 45 year old passenger Joseph were found deceased in the wreckage.

Police say Transport Canada has been notified of the crash and will not be attending the scene.

Both men are from the Lumby area.

The B.C. Coroners service as well as the RCMP are continuing their investigation.