Crash `scared the hell out of Hortons co-founder
All 10 on Bombardier plane escape, including Tim Hortons chain co-founder and his son
Nov 12, 2007 05:38 PM
FOX HARBOUR, N.S. Tim Hortons co-founder Ron Joyce, who survived a jet crash at his northern Nova Scotia golf resort over the weekend, compared the harrowing experience to being in a car wreck saying there was little time to think before it was over.
Its a little more spectacular with airplanes, but its like a motor vehicle accident, Joyce said today with his brand-new private jet lying on its belly in the distance.
We dont know, I dont know what happened. … I am just happy to be standing here talking to you. It scared the hell out of me.
The Bombardier Global 5000, en route from Hamilton, crashed yesterday afternoon while landing in high winds at the Fox Harbr Resort. There were no major injuries among the eight passengers and two crew members on board.
It wasnt yet clear what caused the crash, but investigators with the Transportation Safety Board revealed more about what happened as they opened a full investigation into the mishap.
It appears the aircraft landed just short of the runway, hitting a small lip before the pavement. The impact caused the landing gear to collapse, sending the plane spinning on the runway and skidding to a stop about 300 metres away.
Whether they can repair it or not, I dont know, but it will be a long time before its flying again if it can be, said Joyce, 77, himself a pilot.
This is an absolutely marvellous airplane. Im heartbroken because I was looking forward to doing a lot of travelling with it and its good for the business were involved in.
Yves Jolicoeur, who is heading the Transportation Safety Boards investigation, said the federal agency would be looking at a wide range of potential factors.
Were going to look at all aspects, the weather conditions, and well look at the operation, the training of the pilot, everything, he said.
The aircrafts flight data recorder has been sent to Ottawa for analysis and Jolicoeur said investigators expected to have more information from the device in the coming days.
The jet was delivered to the resort only last month and Jolicoeur said the aircraft had logged fewer than 100 hours of flying time.
The plane was operated by Hamilton-based Jetport, a charter flight company that is also controlled by Joyce.
Bombardier (TSX:BBD.B) has also been asked to help with the investigation and the Montreal-based company sent its own staff to the scene.
Its an aircraft problem and of course the Canadian Transportation Safety Board will open an investigation on this, said Bombardier spokesman Marc Duschesne. We have Bombardier aircraft representatives that are on site helping with the investigation.
Joyce, who grew up in Tatamagouche, N.S, started Tim Hortons in the 1960s partnering with Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Tim Horton.
He sold the company to the Wendys fast-food chain more than 10 years ago.
The Fox Harbr Resort is an exclusive, private gated community located along the Northumberland Strait. It features a golf course, skeet shooting, a deep water marina and a secluded beach.
Flightaware C-GXPR Canadian Civil Registry lists operator as Jetport Inc of Hamilton, who have owned the jet for about 3 weeks!!! Recently had another jet, an Astra off the runway at Hamilton.
