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

July 13, 2025

A devastating mid-air collision between two training aircraft at a Manitoba flight school has resulted in the deaths of two student pilots, including 20-year-old Savanna May Royes, whose family remembered her as the “essence of pure joy.” The tragic incident occurred Tuesday morning during routine training operations at Harv’s Air Pilot training school in Steinbach, approximately 42 miles southeast of Winnipeg.

Details of the Fatal Collision

The accident occurred at approximately 8:45 AM when two single-engine Cessna aircraft collided while both student pilots were conducting practice takeoffs and landings at the training facility. According to Adam Penner, president of Harv’s Air Pilot training school, the collision took place just a few hundred yards from the runway as both pilots appeared to be attempting simultaneous landing approaches.

The circumstances of the accident have left aviation experts and school officials puzzled, particularly given that both aircraft were equipped with standard radio communication equipment. Despite these safety measures, it appears the two pilots did not establish visual or radio contact with each other as they approached the runway.

“We don’t understand how they could get so close together,” Penner explained in an interview with CBC News. “We’ll have to wait for the investigation to provide answers about what led to this tragic accident.”

The collision represents a rare but devastating reminder of the inherent risks involved in aviation training, even under controlled circumstances at established flight schools with experienced instructors and comprehensive safety protocols.

Victims Identified and Remembered

While authorities have not yet officially released the identities of both victims, family members have confirmed that one of the deceased pilots was Savanna May Royes, a 20-year-old student who had been pursuing her aviation dreams at the Manitoba training facility.

Royes’ family issued a heartfelt statement describing their beloved daughter and sister as someone whose presence brought light to everyone around her. “Savanna’s faith and laughter will forever touch everyone who was lucky enough to have known her during her short life,” the family said, capturing the profound impact she had on those who knew her.

The loss of such a young person with her entire future ahead of her has deeply affected the local community and the broader aviation training community. Her family’s description of her as the “essence of pure joy” reflects the vibrant personality that was tragically cut short in this accident.

Details about the second victim have not yet been released, pending notification of family members and completion of official identification procedures. The aviation community awaits further information about both individuals as the investigation continues.

Training Experience Levels

The two pilots involved in the collision represented different stages of aviation training, highlighting the diverse skill levels typically found at flight training facilities. According to Penner, one of the pilots was relatively new to aviation training, having begun the program just a couple of months prior to the accident.

In contrast, the other pilot was significantly more advanced in their training progression, nearly having completed the requirements for a commercial pilot’s license. This disparity in experience levels adds another dimension to the investigation, as authorities will examine whether the difference in training stages contributed to the communication breakdown that led to the collision.

The presence of both novice and advanced students in the same airspace is standard practice at flight training schools, which typically implement carefully structured protocols to manage traffic patterns and ensure safe separation between aircraft operating at different skill levels.

Eyewitness Accounts

Local residents living near the flight training facility provided disturbing accounts of the moments leading up to and following the collision. Lucille and Nathaniel Plett, whose property is located in proximity to the school, described hearing unusual sounds that initially did not alarm them due to the routine nature of training flights in the area.

“We heard some kind of crackling, banging sound and then the engine turned off,” Lucille Plett told Global News. “I recognized that because sometimes they do stunts around here and they turn the engine off, but they turn it back on. Next thing we heard is a big crash and a big bang, and we knew this isn’t a stunt, this is something serious.”

Nathaniel Plett described the immediate aftermath of realizing a serious accident had occurred. When he went outside to investigate, he observed “a pillar of black smoke coming up and a little bit later [we] heard another bang and there was an even bigger pop of black smoke.”

These eyewitness accounts provide crucial context for investigators seeking to understand the sequence of events leading to the collision and its immediate aftermath. The description of engine sounds and the timing of impact may help authorities piece together the final moments before the accident occurred.

Flight School Background and Safety Record

Harv’s Air Pilot training school has operated as a cornerstone of aviation education in Manitoba for more than five decades, having been established by the Penner family in the 1970s. The facility has built a reputation for providing comprehensive flight training to students from around the world, serving both recreational pilots and those pursuing professional aviation careers.

The school’s website emphasizes its commitment to safety and quality instruction, stating that for “more than 51 years, we have been offering the very best flight training the safest, most enjoyable way possible.” This long-standing operation and focus on safety makes Tuesday’s tragic accident particularly shocking for the aviation community.

The facility typically handles a diverse student population, with individuals from various countries coming to Manitoba to complete their aviation training. This international appeal speaks to the school’s reputation within the global aviation training community and its established track record of successful pilot development.

Prior to this incident, the school had maintained a strong safety record throughout its decades of operation, making this collision an exceptional and devastating occurrence for the institution and its leadership.

Investigation and Regulatory Response

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has been officially notified of the collision and has dispatched investigators to the scene to conduct a comprehensive examination of the circumstances leading to the accident. This federal agency is responsible for investigating aviation accidents and incidents across Canada, with the goal of identifying contributing factors and developing safety recommendations to prevent similar occurrences.

The TSB investigation will likely examine multiple aspects of the accident, including weather conditions at the time of the collision, radio communications between the aircraft and any ground control, maintenance records for both aircraft, and the training records and qualifications of both pilots involved.

Investigators will also review the flight school’s operating procedures, safety protocols, and traffic pattern management systems to determine whether any systemic issues may have contributed to the collision. The examination will include analysis of any available radar data, witness statements, and physical evidence from the accident scene.

The investigation process typically takes months or even years to complete, depending on the complexity of the case and the availability of evidence. The TSB will eventually publish a detailed report outlining their findings and any safety recommendations resulting from their analysis.

Aviation Training Safety Considerations

This tragic accident highlights the ongoing challenges and risks associated with aviation training, particularly in busy training environments where multiple aircraft operate in close proximity. Flight training schools must balance the need for realistic training scenarios with comprehensive safety measures to protect student pilots who are still developing their skills and judgment.

The use of radio communications represents one of the primary safety measures employed at training facilities, allowing pilots to coordinate their movements and maintain awareness of other aircraft in the area. However, this incident demonstrates that communication systems alone may not be sufficient to prevent all potential conflicts.

Visual scanning and situational awareness remain critical skills for all pilots, but these abilities are still developing in student pilots who may be focused on specific maneuvers or procedures. Training schools typically implement structured traffic patterns and separation procedures to minimize the risk of conflicts between aircraft.

The investigation into this accident may lead to enhanced safety protocols or training procedures designed to improve situational awareness and communication among student pilots operating in training environments.

Community Impact and Support

The loss of two young pilots has profoundly affected the local community in Steinbach and the broader aviation community throughout Manitoba. The tragic nature of the accident, involving individuals pursuing their dreams of becoming pilots, has resonated deeply with residents and aviation enthusiasts alike.

Local authorities and community organizations are likely to provide support services for those affected by the tragedy, including family members, fellow students, and instructors at the flight school. The aviation training community often comes together during such difficult times to offer mutual support and assistance.

The accident also serves as a sobering reminder of the risks inherent in aviation, even during training operations conducted under controlled conditions. The aviation community will undoubtedly use this tragedy as an opportunity to reinforce safety procedures and continue improving training protocols.

Looking Forward

As the investigation continues, the aviation training community will await the findings and recommendations that may emerge from the Transportation Safety Board’s analysis. Any lessons learned from this tragic accident will likely be incorporated into safety protocols and training procedures at flight schools across Canada and potentially internationally.

The memory of Savanna May Royes and her fellow student pilot will serve as a reminder of the dedication and courage required to pursue aviation careers, as well as the importance of maintaining the highest safety standards in flight training operations.

The investigation’s conclusions will be crucial for understanding how such accidents can be prevented in the future, ensuring that the dreams and aspirations of future student pilots can be pursued with the maximum possible safety measures in place.