Engine failure blamed for small plane crash near Toronto high school

A small plane that crashed in a field at Monarch Park Collegiate Institute on Monday night was a result of engine failure, the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) says.

Emergency services were called to the area near Felstead and Greenwood avenues just after 8 p.m.

The plane, which was travelling from Orillia to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, crashed near the soccer field and in the parking lot near the grandstand.

“En route, there was an engine failure, and the plane crash-landed,” the TSB said in a statement to CityNews.

Three occupants (a pilot and two passengers), all in their mid-30s to 40s, were on board, but no injuries were reported.

“TSB were on the scene last night assessing the site and began interviewing witnesses and those involved,” officials said.

Monarch Park Collegiate Institute remained open on Tuesday morning, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) announced.

Plane rental company issues statement in wake of crash

The rental company Flight Club, which describes itself as the “AirBNB of aviation,” said the plane that crashed was a Canadian-registered Piper Cherokee.

“Upon initial review, the forced approach appears to have been executed with great proficiency and focus. When aviation incidents occur, pilot competency is consistently the largest factor in determining the survivability of the event and the protection of life and property,” the company’s statement read.

Flight Club says it is cooperating with local authorities “with a goal of implementing safety measures where possible.”

“At FC, our mission is to help pilots fly regularly, as increased flight hours and recurrent experience lead to safer and more competent pilots. Freedom of the skies is an incredibly uplifting pursuit, but it does come with its risks,” the company said. “We will be closely studying the causes of this incident.”

Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop said civilians were playing soccer on the field at the time of the crash.

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One witness at the scene reported that he was at the nearby St. Patrick’s Field when a plane flying above them appeared to be descending lower and lower to the ground.

“It was coming from the west side of the city to the east. And it was really low. And then all of a sudden we heard a big loud crash. So we all rushed over here and we saw the plane that had already crashed and the occupants were out,” said witness David Sydney-Cariglia.

Another witness who spoke to CityNews said the pilot was very shaken up in the immediate aftermath of the crash.

The investigation is ongoing.