'All of a sudden it was on top of me': Harrowing moments as plane crashes into cars on B.C. road

Andrew Kurjata · CBC News

· Posted: Aug 21, 2026 3:01 PM EDT | Last Updated: 19 minutes ago

Survivors of a dramatic emergency plane landing in Prince George, B.C., that claimed one life and left several others injured are sharing their stories.

Jaime Pawliuk says he was driving to work on Thursday afternoon when he saw the aircraft barreling toward him.

"All of a sudden it was on top of me," he said.

"I tried to swerve as much as I could to get into the ditch, but unfortunately I was only able to make it just a little ways before the wing just sheared the entire top of my vehicle off and showered me with glass.

"I have superficial cuts all in my hands. I have glass still in my hair and, luckily, I was able to walk out of it."

Pawliuk says he was showered with glass when the plane struck the top of his vehicle and shattered his sunroof. (Jaime Pawliuk)

The plane, a twin-engine Beech King Air 200 aircraft, made its emergency landing just before 2:30 p.m. PT Thursday, landing on Foothills Boulevard, a four-lane road connecting several residential neighbourhoods in Prince George.

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Police say at least two vehicles were involved but witnesses and photos suggest there were more, with Pawliuk estimating between three and five were directly damaged. He said he and others have had to leave their vehicles at the scene while the investigation is underway.

WATCH | Emergency landing claims 1 life:

Video from inside the aircraft show at least six passengers were on board, along with two pilots. The plane was contracted and no injuries to those inside the plane have been reported.

However, officials say ten people were assessed for injury, with two taken to hospital in stable condition and one person, believed to be in one of the vehicles hit by the plane, is dead.

RCMP say the Transportation Safety Board is now taking the lead of the investigation.