Small plane crashes near Beaver Mines

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Piper Comanche 250 forced to make emergency landing
near Castle Mountain
C. Davis photo

At approximately 2:15 pm today, May 31, a small plane was reported to have crashed on Highway 774, near Castle Mountain, south of the hamlet of Beaver Mines.

Pincher Creek RCMP reports the plane was piloted by a man who was flying from North Dakota to Kalispell.  He apparently experienced mechanical difficulties and was forced to make an emergency landing.

Passers-by assisted him, and it is reported that he was taken by them to the Beaver Mines General Store, where authorities were contacted.  The pilot is said to have suffered no injuries other than being shaken up by the experience.

The pilot's flying abilities would seem to be to his credit, as the location of the crash is in an area that could have resulted in much more serious results.  Damage was visible to the propeller blades, which were bent, and no landing gear was evident, with the plane sitting flat on the gravel roadway.

Piper Comanche 250 on Highway 774 near Castle Mountain
C. Davis photo

The plane is a 4-seater Piper Comanche 250 registered to a Glen Hay of Kalispell, and was apparently built circa 1963. There is at present no confirmation that Hay was the pilot involved in the incident.

Transportation Canada and the Pincher Creek RCMP are investigating the incident.  No criminal charges are expected.