A devastating mid-air collision between two single-engine planes has claimed the lives of two student pilots, Sreehari Sukesh and Savanna May Royce, near Steinbach South Airport in Manitoba, Canada. The accident occurred on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at approximately 8:45 a.m., while the students were practicing takeoffs and landings as part of a training exercise.
Victims Identified
– Sreehari Sukesh, 23, a resident of Statue New Road, Tripunithura, was preparing for his commercial certification at Harv’s Air flight school.
– Savanna May Royce, 20, a Canadian citizen, was training for her private pilot license at the same school.
Accident Details
The collision is believed to have occurred when both pilots attempted to land simultaneously on the runway. The planes, a Cessna 152 and a Cessna 172, caught fire and crashed in a field approximately 400 meters from the airstrip. Both Sreehari and Savanna were pronounced dead at the scene by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Investigation
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. The RCMP will continue to be involved in investigating the fatalities, while the Transportation Safety Board will lead the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Reaction
The flight school community is in shock, with instructor Mohamed Shahin describing the morning as “very, very heartbreaking” and expressing sadness for the parents of the students who lost their lives. Federal Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland has also expressed condolences on social media. Adam Penner, president of Harv’s Air, stated that the school is “devastated” and will wait for the investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
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