Kerala-origin man among two victims in aerial survey aircraft crash near Deer Lake Airport
An Indian national, Gautam Santhosh, tragically lost his life in a small plane crash involving a commercial survey aircraft in Newfoundland, Canada, on July 26. The incident occurred near the Deer Lake Airport and claimed the lives of both individuals on board, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
The Consulate General of India in Toronto confirmed Santhosh’s death in a social media post on Tuesday, extending heartfelt condolences to his family. “The Consulate is in close contact with the bereaved family and local authorities in Canada to provide all necessary assistance and support,” the post on X stated.
Indian Consulate offers condolences and support to family of deceased Kerala man killed in Piper Navajo aircraft crash
Santhosh hailed from Kerala and was employed by Kisik Aerial Survey Inc., based in Delta, British Columbia. The company operated the ill-fated Piper PA-31 Navajo — a twin-engine aircraft commonly used for aerial surveys and capable of carrying up to eight passengers.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that both occupants of the aircraft were declared dead at the scene. Following the accident, Kisik’s owner, Andrew Naysmith, expressed deep sorrow, saying, “We are devastated and heartbroken by this loss. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the families of the deceased.”
While Naysmith initially refrained from releasing the victims’ names, he said all official information would be shared through proper authorities.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has launched an investigation into the crash to determine the cause.
