Three dead including experienced flight instructor in Gabriola plane crash
GABRIOLA — An experienced flight instructor and former TSB examiner has been identified as one of three people who were killed in a plane crash on Gabriola Island Wednesday evening.
Friends and family of Alex Bahlsen, 61, have confirmed he was travelling back to Canada when the five passenger plane he was piloting crashed on the north west tip of Gabriola Island. No-one on the plane survived.
Maritime Forces Pacific say the aircraft was attempting a landing at Nanaimo Airport but crashed on approach. There was fog and misty rain in the area at the time of the crash.
It is unclear whether a mayday call was made, however the landing is believed to have been scheduled. Bahlsen resided in the Mill Bay area.