LUTSEL K'E, N.W.T. - Two people were killed and another two flown to hospital with undetermined injuries after a small plane crashed in the northern bush east of Yellowknife on Tuesday afternoon.
"Our hearts ache for the families of the two individuals who have lost their lives in this tragic incident and our prayers are with the two injured survivors," said Chuck Parker, president of Air Tindi, which owned the downed Cessna Caravan.
It's the third crash in the Canadian Arctic in recent weeks.
The plane was on a regularly scheduled flight from Yellowknife to Lutsel K'e, a small aboriginal community east of Yellowknife.
The plane was about 25 kilometres from Lutsel K'e when the pilot decided to turn around in rainy but calm weather, said RCMP Cpl. Shawn King.
"I have no information on why that decision was made," King said. "A short time later, radio contact was lost."
Rescuers responded immediately.
A privately owned Twin Otter landed on Great Slave Lake near the crash site and rescuers beat their way through the bush to the site.
As well, a helicopter owned by Great Slave Helicopters went to the site, as did a Royal Canadian Air Force Hercules search and rescue aircraft. RCMP also helicoptered to the site.
There is no road access to the area.
RCMP from Lutsel K'e currently have secured the the scene. Investigators from the RCMP and the Transportation Safety Board are expected on site Wednesday.
By about 6:30, both survivors had been transferred to Stanton Territorial Hospital, said a release from Air Tindi.
Lutsel K'e, population 312, is located on a peninsula extending into Christie Bay on the south shore of the east arm of Great Slave Lake.
On Aug. 20, a First Air Boeing 737 crashed near Resolute, Nunavut, killing 12 and injuring three.
Two pilots died on Sept. 22 in the crash of a Twin Otter in Yellowknife's Old Town neighbourhood. Seven were injured.
"It's certainly another event that, given the previous two, is hitting people pretty hard," King said.
The airline flew Prince William and Kate during their visit to the Northwest Territories this last summer.
