Aviation

Plane crashes in Saskatchewan with 25 people on board, no fatalities

FOND DU LAC, Sask. – RCMP say a plane with 25 people on board has crashed in northern Saskatchewan.Police say the plane crashed shortly after taking off around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday at the Fond du Lac airport. Mounties said the aircraft went down about one kilometre from the airstrip.

Emergency first responders helped the 22 passengers and three crew members. One of the passengers is an infant. “With that many people on a plane, there are injuries,” Staff Sgt. Rob Embree said at RCMP headquarters in Regina. “Right now, that’s what we’re focusing on so basically it’s a rescue effort happening at this time.” There were no reports of fatalities.

Rick Philipenko, a spokesman for Saskatoon-based West Wind Aviation, confirmed it was one of the company’s planes that crashed, a two-engine ATR 42 turbo prop. The plane was en route to Stony Rapids on a regularly scheduled flight when it crashed. “The primary concern for us right now is making sure that the passengers and crew are looked after,” he said. A picture of the crash site posted on social media shows the damaged aircraft partly on its side in the trees with a wing jutting up in the air at a 45-degree angle as people search the plane.

The Transportation Safety Board said a team of investigators will arrive in Fond du Lac Thursday. Fond du Lac is a remote mainly Dene community located on the east side of Lake Athabasca

Airlines

Air India to Launch aircraft maintenance training institute in Bengaluru

Air India, one of India’s leading global airlines, is set to establish a Basic Maintenance Training Organization (BMTO) in Bengaluru.

This institute will offer a comprehensive Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) program certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The program will follow an integrated 2+2 year structure, combining classroom learning with practical, hands-on training.

This initiative is part of Air India’s broader goal of creating a robust aviation ecosystem in India. With plans to expand its fleet and strengthen its operations, the airline aims to build a skilled workforce of maintenance engineers, making the organization self-reliant while supporting its ambitious transformation journey.

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To bring this vision to life, air india has partnered with Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL), a subsidiary of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). Together, they will develop a state-of-the-art facility spanning 86,000 square feet at Bengaluru Airport City.

This purpose-built campus will feature modern classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, and qualified trainers to deliver world-class education and training. The institute is expected to become operational by mid-2026.

The BMTO will be located close to Air India’s new 12-bay Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, also set to open in Bengaluru by early 2026. The AME program will begin with two years of academic coursework, followed by two years of practical training at the MRO, ensuring students receive hands-on experience adhering to industry standards.

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In the meantime, Air India has introduced a Cadet AME program in collaboration with reputable institutions in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

This ensures continuity in its commitment to developing skilled aircraft maintenance engineers while the BMTO facility is under construction. The program also allows students to pursue a bachelor’s degree through university partnerships, enhancing their career and academic opportunities.

With this initiative, air india plane aims to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in aircraft maintenance and engineering, air india new planes contributing to the development of India’s aviation sector and creating specialized career paths for aspiring engineers.