Fatal Mid-Air Collision Claims Two Student Pilots at Manitoba Flight Training School
Transportation Safety Board Investigating Tragic Accident at Harv’s Air Pilot Training Facility
A heartbreaking mid-air collision at a Manitoba flight school has claimed the lives of two student pilots, including 20-year-old Savanna May Royes—cherished by her family as the “essence of pure joy.” The tragedy struck Tuesday morning during routine training at Harv’s Air Pilot Training School in Steinbach, about 42 miles southeast of Winnipeg.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The devastating accident unfolded around 8:45 AM when two single-engine Cessna planes collided in mid-air. Both student pilots were performing practice takeoffs and landings at the flight school. Adam Penner, president of Harv’s Air Pilot Training School, revealed that the collision happened just a few hundred yards from the runway as the pilots seemingly made simultaneous landing approaches—turning a routine training day into a
The baffling circumstances surrounding the collision have left both aviation experts and school officials searching for answers. Despite both aircraft being equipped with standard radio communication systems, it appears neither pilot established visual or radio contact as they approached the runway.
“We don’t understand how they could get so close together,” said Adam Penner, president of Harv’s Air Pilot Training School, in a CBC News interview. “We’ll have to wait for the investigation to shed light on what led to this tragic accident.”
This heartbreaking event serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in flight training—even within the controlled environment of a reputable school staffed by experienced instructors and following stringent safety protocols.
Victims Identified and Remembered
While official authorities have yet to publicly release both victims’ names, family members have confirmed that 20-year-old Savanna May Royes was among those lost in the accident. Savanna had been passionately pursuing her aviation dreams at the Manitoba facility.
Her family shared a moving tribute, describing her as a beacon of light to all who knew her:
“Savanna’s faith and laughter will forever touch everyone who was lucky enough to have known her during her short life.”
The devastating loss of such a young life, brimming with promise, has deeply impacted both the local community and the wider aviation training circle. Described by her loved ones as the “essence of pure joy,” Savanna’s vibrant spirit was tragically cut short.
Details regarding the second victim remain withheld pending family notification and formal identification. The aviation community awaits further updates as the investigation unfolds.
Training Experience Levels Highlighted
The two student pilots were at notably different stages in their aviation journeys—a fact that adds complexity to the ongoing investigation. Penner revealed one pilot was relatively new, having joined the program just months before, while the other was close to completing the requirements for a commercial pilot license.
This contrast in experience underscores the challenge flight schools face when managing mixed levels of trainees operating simultaneously in the same airspace. Schools implement detailed protocols to safely separate aircraft, but authorities will examine whether this disparity played a role in the fatal communication lapse.
Eyewitness Accounts Paint a Harrowing Scene
Residents near Harv’s Air Pilot Training School witnessed and heard the unsettling moments before and after the crash. Lucille and Nathaniel Plett, whose property borders the facility, initially mistook unusual engine noises for typical training stunts.
“We heard some kind of crackling, banging sound and then the engine turned off,” Lucille told Global News. “Sometimes they do stunts here and turn the engine off, but they always turn it back on. Then we heard a big crash and a loud bang — we knew this wasn’t a stunt.”
Nathaniel described rushing outside to find a “pillar of black smoke” rising into the sky, followed by another bang and an even larger plume.
These firsthand accounts are critical pieces in the investigation puzzle, providing clues about the crash’s timing and sequence—helping officials piece together the tragic final moments.