Canada’s air force probes sexual misconduct allegation against Snowbirds pilot

Department of National Defence spokeswoman Jessica Lamirande said the member is a pilot with the aerial acrobatics team, but she noted no charges have been laid.

The Royal Canadian Air Force is investigating a sexual misconduct allegation against a Snowbirds pilot, and the aerobatics team will be performing a plane short for the time being.

The commanders of 1 and 2 Canadian Air Divisions issued a statement on Saturday saying the allegation has been made against a member of 431 Squadron, which is based in Moose Jaw, Sask., and the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service is investigating.

Department of National Defence spokeswoman Jessica Lamirande said the member is a pilot with the aerial acrobatics team, but she noted no charges have been laid.

Lamirande said the department isn’t releasing where or when the alleged misconduct occurred.

The department’s news release said the person affected by the alleged misconduct is also a member of the military.

It said the Snowbirds will perform air displays as an eight-aircraft team, instead of nine, for the foreseeable future.

“The pilots do a number of training exercises before the show year begins,” Lamirande said of why the team can’t just fly with another pilot.

“To sub someone in, we’d have to have a spare (CT-114) Tutor pilot that is fully trained and underwent the same exercises as the other ones. At this point, we don’t have someone who is trained and ready to go.”