When a Twin Otter crashed north of Yellowknife in December 2023, a Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130 Hercules crew from 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron leapt into action. In this gripping episode of the Pilot Project Podcast, we talk with aircraft commander Jason Shaw and Search and Rescue Technician (SAR Tech) Vincent C. Benoit about the night SAR Techs parachuted into a blizzard with lifesaving gear to reach 10 survivors.
Hear how they planned the mission, flew into turbulence and near-zero visibility, coordinated with JRCC Trenton, and stabilized hypothermic passengers until evacuation. This real-world SAR story reveals the training, teamwork, and mental resilience behind Canada’s mission-critical aviation operations.
Perfect for fans of Canadian aviation, search and rescue operations, and RCAF pilot stories.
The Pilot Project Podcast