While preparing to perform at an airshow in Atlanta, Georgia, a Snowbird pilot was forced to eject from his airplane resulting in the aircraft plummeting pilotless to the ground.  The incident happened on October 13th.

The pilot of the aircraft was Capt. Kevin Domon-Grenier who safely ejected from the aircraft before it went down.  He didn't suffer any injuries while the plane was completely destroyed. 

As a result of the crash, the Commander of 1 Canadian Division implemented an Operational Pause, meaning that every CT-114 Tutor aircraft in the Royal Canadian Air Force is grounded for the time being. That leaves all the Snowbirds' Tutors still in Atlanta.

The CT-114 Tutor is the airplane used by the Snowbirds and others from the Royal Canadian Air Force.

David Lavallee is a Public Affairs Officer with the RCAF and commented on the Tutor aircraft.

"I can say that the Tutor is an extremely well-maintained aircraft. I believe they were acquired in 1962 so that would make them almost 60 years old. I think the fact that we're still able to fly them is a testament to the technical skill and professionalism of our technicians."

Lavallee went on to say, "They undergo constant maintenance, they undergo constant checks before and after every flight so there is a robust program in place to look after those planes."

The investigation of the crash is ongoing and it is still unknown what caused the accident.