Warning from control tower to pilot issued before Vancouver float plane crash

Audio between the control tower and the pilot of a plane that collided with a recreational boat in Vancouver's Coal Harbour revealed a warning was issued about the approaching watercraft.

Audio between the control tower and the pilot of a plane that collided with a recreational boat in Vancouver's Coal Harbour revealed a warning was issued about the approaching watercraft.

Investigations into a collision between the Harbour Air plane and boat are continuing, with video, audio and witness statements being reviewed by the Transportation Safety Board.

The crash happened Saturday afternoon, just off Stanley Park. Nobody on the plane was injured, according to Harbour Air, and two people who were on the boat were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Audio from the control tower revealed the pilot was given a heads up about the boat entering its path.

"Express 5209 ready for northwest if you have time," the pilot is heard saying.

"Express 5209 caution for the westbound boat at northern alpha. Takeoff northwest at your discretion," the response from the control tower is heard.

Thousands of flights have taken off and touched down safely in Coal Harbour, most of them from what's known as "area alpha," which boats are told to avoid.