A Canadian Snowbird CT-114 Tutor crashed Saturday afternoon before the start of the team’s planned demonstration at the Atlanta Air Show, which was being held at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. The pilot, identified as Snowbird 5, Captain Kevin Domon-Grenier, ejected before the plane struck the ground in an open field.

The nine-ship formation was headed from the Atlanta Regional Airport in Peachtree City to the Atlanta Motor Speedway for their final demonstration at the 2019 Atlanta Air Show. As the team approached the show site, spectators at the speedway saw a small fireball followed by a large amount of black smoke. The photo below then shows another Snowbird jet circling the smoke before news began to break of a possible crash.

The CT-114 Tutor came down in an open field, with its only residents being a herd of cattle. Captain Domon-Grenier safely ejected before the crash, and was transported to a Macon hospital with reports of a broken ankle. He has since then been released. The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation quickly launched a Huey helicopter to the scene of the crash to check on Snowbird 5’s wellbeing, and members of the team arrived at the scene shortly after to begin their investigation. Pictures below show the scene of the crash.

The rest of the Atlanta Air Show’s performances were cancelled for the day, including the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds provided their best wishes to the team shortly after the accident, and the Canadian Snowbirds issued a statement on the crash:

The Snowbirds have one more show on their 2019 schedule next weekend in Houston, Texas. However, it is unlikely that the team will make the trip to Texas, and they will most likely return home to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan to conclude their 2019 season. Stay tuned to our website and social media for the latest updates regarding Sunday’s crash.