A bird strike may have caused the Snowbird’s crash which claimed the life of the team’s Public Affairs Officer, Captain Jennifer Casey.

The Department of National Defence’s Airworthiness Investigative Authority has issued a preliminary report into the Snowbirds accident which occurred a few short weeks ago, on May 17th, in Kamloops.

DND has conducted a detailed analysis of video footage recovered which revealed one bird in very close proximity to the Tutor jet’s right engine intake during take-off.

A From the Investigator or FTI report is a summary of circumstances and facts known to date. It is not the full investigation but indicates areas the investigation, still underway, is focused.

The Snowbirds aerobatic team, was on a cross-Canada tour dubbed Operation Inspiration, to raise the spirits of Canadians during COVID-19.