The plane that crashed into Severn Sound near Midland earlier this month was expected to be raised from the water today.
Richard Leslie, a 47-year-old Oro-Medonte Township man, completed suicide by intentionally crashing his plane into the water in the area of Pinery Point in Georgian Bay Township on Saturday, May 2, his heartbroken wife recently told BarrieToday.
The investigation into the crash has been closed by Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) investigators, according to spokesperson Julie Leroux.
The TSB categorized the crash as a "Class 5 occurrence," which means it has "little likelihood of identifying new safety lessons that will advance transportation safety."
Further detail on a Class 5 occurrence states that it has "been reported voluntarily and is not subject to the mandatory reporting requirements in the TSB regulations."
Southern Georgian Bay OPP Const. David Hobson told BarrieToday the plane crashed approximately one kilometre southwest of the area around North Shore Road and Musky Bay Road near Port Severn.
The aircraft settled in Severn Sound in approximately seven metres (25 feet) of water, he added.
Hobson said the plane would likely be removed by a contractor arranged by the insurance company or family.
A Facebook post from Leslie's widow, Vanessa, stated the plane was being raised Wednesday and had to be initiated by the family.
Richard Leslie, who was part-owner of Scottland Tire & Auto on Morrow Road in Barrie, also served as a volunteer firefighter in Severn Township for seven years, and was stationed at the Coldwater firehall.
