Pilot found dead following plane crash near Slave Lake

RCMP say an 84-year-old pilot was found dead Thursday after a reported plane crash near Slave Lake two days earlier.

On August 31, Slave Lake RCMP say they responded to a distress beacon, which was reported by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre of a plane crash in the area of Marten Mountain, which is about 11 kilometres northeast of Slave Lake.

Police say the location was very rugged terrain, with densely forested hills and very limited access. As well, due to the rain and low ceiling for air traffic, the search was limited to a ground search until the following day.

On September 1, mounties say military search crews from Ontario and Cold Lake assisted with ground and air searches, alongside Slave Lake Regional Fire Services and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry crews. However, due to the rugged terrain, dense forest, and inclement weather conditions, crews were forced to pause the search during nightfall.