By Tamara Condie
Operation INSPIRATION, dubbed as a tribute to Canadian sufferers of COVID-19, evolved into a tragedy for the RCAF on May 17 when Capt. Jennifer Casey died in a tragic Snowbird crash. This aircraft was of the Snowbirds CT-114 Tutor make, and collided into a neighbourhood adjacent to its takeoff station at the Kamloops Airport. The pilot of the malfunctioning Snowbird jet, Capt. Rich MacDougall, survived the crash with non-life threatening injuries. In a time already riddled by adversity, the CAF has been battling through pensive tragedies in the past few weeks.
In the wake of the crash, a Kamloops resident who witnessed the descent of the aircraft told CTV that she had decided to go out and watch the Snowbirds soar. As she exited her house, she “[heard] this huge ‘boom’,” and stated that “it was quite emotional, and quite scary.” Not long after the crash, Capt. Jennifer Casey was identified as the deceased crew member of the demolished aircraft. Although she ejected, she did not survive; however, Capt. Richard MacDougall lived through the crash, and is now recovering from his injuries with full support from the CAF, according to LCol Mike French.
LCol Mike French is the CO of 431 (Air Demonstration) Squadron, and issued a public statement that authentically addressed the mournful loss of Capt. Casey. He described the young fireball of a Captain as “the quintessential Public Affairs Officer,” and added that “she was one of the main reasons Op INSPIRATION has been so well received by the public.” Not only was Capt. Casey profoundly adored by her workforce, but her friends and family are deeply grieving her loss as well. One of her close friends, Capital Ward Coun. Shawn Menard, reminisced about how Capt. Casey “had this infectious positivity about her,” and articulated his utter shock when hearing the news that she had been killed.
Capt. Jennifer Casey only joined the CAF in 2014 as a public affairs officer, and before that, worked as a reporter, anchor, and producer for broadcast radio. She was a Carleton University Journalism graduate and was only 35 years old; the University President Benoit-Antoine Bacon stated in a tweet on May 18 that the Carleton community is mourning the loss of Casey. Sadly, she is the ninth person to have died in a Snowbird crash since the air demonstration team was founded in 1971— authorities have launched an investigation into what the cause of the crash may have been, but according to LCol Mike French, it could be a year before any findings are manifest.
On Thursday, May 21, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 52 Kamloops and 886 Wing (Overlander) RCAF Association will hold a tribute ceremony to honour Capt. Jennifer Casey, and to offer support for pilot Capt. Richard MacDougall. It is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the roundabout on Airport Road at the Kamloops Airport, where the CF-5 plane stands. The city of Kamloops welcomes the public to attend in conformity with physical-distancing guidelines.
