Investigation Underway After Fatal Mid-Air Collision in Canada

A tragic mid-air collision on Tuesday morning claimed the life of a female student pilot in Manitoba, Canada. The crash occurred around 8:45 a.m. near Harv’s Air Pilot Training School in Steinbach, when two single-engine Cessna aircraft collided while practicing takeoffs and landings.

Adam Penner, president of the flight school, said both students appeared to be landing simultaneously and were unaware of each other’s approach—despite both aircraft having radios.

“We don’t understand how they could get so close together,” Penner told CBC. “We’ll have to wait for the investigation.”

One pilot had only a few months of experience, while the other was nearing commercial licensing. Both were declared dead at the scene.

Family identified 20-year-old Savanna May Royes as one of the victims, calling her “the essence of pure joy.” Authorities have not officially released the names.

Nearby residents Nathaniel and Lucille Plett described hearing strange noises, then a crash followed by black smoke. “We knew this wasn’t a stunt—this was something serious,” Lucille said.

Harv’s Air, founded in the 1970s, trains pilots from around the world. The school emphasized its long-standing safety record, calling the incident rare.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating the collision, which took place about 42 miles south of Winnipeg. Investigators have been dispatched to determine the cause.