The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of two men who died in the crash of a home-built aircraft near Nanaimo Airport on July 26, 2014.

They were Michael Cyril Weir, aged 73, from Saltspring Island, and Gerald Paul Thom, aged 50, from Youbou.

Mr. Weir and Mr. Thom were taking their home-built aircraft on flight trials, taking off from the Nanaimo Airport, which is located at Cassidy south of Nanaimo, on the evening of July 26.

Shortly after 7 p.m., witnesses observed the plane to be in trouble shortly after takeoff. It crashed almost immediately onto the neighbouring Cottonwood Golf Course. Both men were deceased at the scene. 

The BC Coroners Service and Transportation Safety Board continue to investigate these deaths.

The families of the victims have been notified of their deaths.

For further information, please contact:

Matt Brown
Regional Coroner, Island Region
BC Coroners Service
250 356-9133