A grim reminder today – the thirtieth anniversary of a jet crash in Dryden that took 24 lives.
On Friday, March 10, 1989, an Air Ontario F-28 jet with 69 passengers and crew on board attempted a take off from the Dryden Airport during a sudden snow squall. Ice formed on the wings as the twin-engine jet roared down the runway, causing a loss of lift on the wings.
The aircraft staggered into the air briefly, went over a road, then dropped into trees west of the runway, breaking up and coming to rest in three pieces.
As emergency crews tried to get to the crash through thick bush, survivors struggled to get clear of the burning aircraft to safety.
Dryden Police, Fire, Ambulance and others were joined by volunteer snowmobilers who helped to bring survivors to the nearest road and transport them to the community hospital where off-duty staff were being summoned. One doctor had just come home on the Air Ontario flight.
Of 69 on board, 21 passengers and 3 crew were killed.
The community was recognized for a superb rescue effort as was the hospital where survivors were treated and dealt with in less than six hours.
A two-year inquiry into the crash resulted in changes to de-icing policies nation-wide.
