Identified by friends as Akhilesh Shere, was the pilot of a plane which crashed near Qualicum Beach Airport on Sunday, July 24. (submitted photo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

engine issues

Pilot seriously injured following crash near Qualicum Beach Airport

Jul 25, 2022 | 6:43 AM

QUALICUM BEACH — A man in his early 20’s was airlifted to hospital in serious condition after an incident near the airport.

A single-engine Cessna 172 crash landed into a farmer’s field bordering the south end of Qualicum Beach Airport shortly before 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 25.

Emergency crews from across the Oceanside region were called out to the farm, off Hodges Rd. to assist the pilot, later identified as Akhilesh Shere, who was the lone occupant in the plane.

“[The pilot] has now been transported by Medivac to hospital for treatment,” a statement from the Town of Qualicum beach, who manages the airport, read. “The pilot is reported to be in serious condition.”

Oceanside RCMP later reported that the injuries were considered non-life threatening, and friends told NanaimoNewsNOW Shere is expected to recover.

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The airport remained closed Sunday night while crews tended to the scene, however re-opened at 6 a.m. Monday morning.

Colleagues of Shere also said he is an experienced pilot based in Victoria, who carries multiple certifications including for commercial planes, and is embarking on a career as a professional pilot.

The Transportation Safety Board is now conducting an investigation into the incident.

Multiple people in the region reported hearing the plane sputtering overhead prior to the incident.

Flight radar tracking showed the Cessna take off around 30 minutes prior the incident from Qualicum Beach Airport, travel west toward Horne Lake before returning to the area.

A fundraiser for Shere has been set up to help cover expenses during his recovery.

A single-engine Cessna has crashed into a farmer’s field off Hodges Rd., south of Qualicum Beach Airport, seriously injuring the pilot. (Google Earth)

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