Pilot, 65, dead after glider crash near Diamond Valley

A pilot described as a respected member of the Alberta gliding community died in a glider crash near Diamond Valley Wednesday afternoon.

According to Alberta RCMP, at approximately 1:30 p.m. the Turner Valley detachment received a 911 call advising that a small, non-motorized glider aircraft had crashed in a field south of Highway 7, about 60 kilometres south of Calgary. 

RCMP, EMS and Diamond Valley Fire Rescue attended and found the glider aircraft and the pilot, a 65-year-old male resident of Calgary, who was declared deceased at the scene.

The incident occurred during the Canadian National Soaring Championships, which is a two-week event being hosted at the Cu Nim Gliding Club, east of Diamond Valley.

Jason Acker, the president of the Alberta Soaring Council, told CBC News that the pilot is not being named at this point, but said he competed in many national soaring championships. 

Since the incident happened during competition, Acker said there were witnesses to the crash and first responders arrived on the scene quickly.

"After it was determined that it was a fatality, the RCMP and the Transportation Safety Board were notified, and they'll continue the investigation," Acker said.

In a release, Patrick McMahon, the president of the Cu Nim Gliding Club, and Christopher Gough, the club's chief flying instructor, said the pilot was a long-serving former club president who was passionate about soaring and will be missed by many.

"This lost pilot was an accomplished glider pilot, an active and reliable glider flight instructor, a regular participant in competitions.

"Out of respect for the ongoing investigation by the Transportation Safety Board, and for the family of the deceased we ask for privacy during this difficult time for the family, friends and colleagues affected by this loss," the statement said.

Acker said the future of this year's competition will be decided at a meeting Wednesday evening.

"The organizing committee and the officials will be meeting with the pilots this evening to … make a decision whether the contest will continue, or if the contest will be closed and allow for members of the club, the competitors and the community to come together and mourn the loss of their colleague," he said.