B.C. fires: Water bomber crashes fighting Puntzi Lake Fire

A water bomber has crashed whilefighting the Puntzi Lake wildfirenearWilliams Lake, B.C., but the pilot has escaped unharmed.

Bill Yearwood, the investigatorincharge with the Transportation Safety Board, said the accident involved asingle engine amphibious water bomber.

"The 'Fire Boss'water bomber ran into some trouble while scooping water at Puntzi lake," saidYearwood."The aircraft subsequently sank."

Hesaid the pilot was able to escape with minimal injuries.

The 46 year-old pilotwas flown to Williams Lake for a complete medical checkup as aprecaution, saidJeff Berry with Conair Aerial Firefighting, the contractor the pilot worksfor.

Berry said the pilot has more than 8,000 hours flying experience and has flown the Fire Boss for four years. He addedthat theaircraft was three years old.

The 1,200 hectare fire in the province's Cariboo districtwas discovered on July 8 and is currently not contained at all.