Public Service Announcement: Canadian Forces to Conduct Survey Dive on Lake Muskoka

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 10, 2012) - The Canadian Force's (CF) Fleet Diving Unit (FDU) Atlantic will conduct a survey dive of the Nomad 3521 aircraft wreckage in Lake Muskoka from October 12 to 15, 2012.

The focus of this dive will be to survey the site to recover any potential human remains and artefacts, as well as identify and remove potential physical and/or environmental hazards.

For safety reasons, members of the public are asked to respect the parameters of the area in which the FDU dive team will be operating.

On December 13, 1940, two Northrop A-17 Nomad aircraft were involved in a mid-air collision over Lake Muskoka. Shortly after the crash, only Nomad 3512 and its pilot and co-pilot were located. The other aircraft, Nomad 3521, remained missing.

On July 27, 2010, a Remotely Operated Vessel and divers from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) located an aircraft wreck. The OPP recovered personal effects belonging to the pilot, 24-year old Flight Lieutenant Peter Campbell of the Royal Air Force and 27-year old observer, Leading Aircraftsman Theodore (Ted) Bates from Guelph, Ontario, Royal Canadian Air Force. The discovery of these personal effects confirmed that the wreckage was in fact, that of the missing Nomad 3521.

The Department of National Defence (DND) and the CF are dedicated to honouring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. For those remains recovered and identified, DND/CF will ensure appropriate and dignified handling.