Jim Prentice's plane crashed only eight minutes after takeoff, TSB says

The plane carrying former Alberta premier Jim Prentice and three others crashedonly eight minutes after take off, killing all on board,the Transportation Safety Board said Saturday.

The TSBsaid the CessnaCitationdisappeared from radar at 9:40 p.m. PT on Thursday,only 11 kilometres north ofKelownaAirport.

"Initial examination suggests the aircraft was destroyed from high deceleration forces after a vertical descent," saidBeverleyHarvey, the TSB investigator-in-charge.

"There were no emergency or distress calls made," she said.

The plane, which was built in1974,was not equipped with a cockpit voice recorder or a flight datarecorder,Harveysaid, adding that it was not a requirement.

She said investigators would review any electronic components that could give them clues as to the cause of the crash.

Five investigators are currently at the site, and the full investigation will take up to a year to complete, Harvey said.

Retired RCMP officer, optometrist and businessman

Earlier in the day, the pilot in thefatalcrash wasidentified as retired RCMP officer JimKruk.

A statement released by his family says the 62-year-oldAirdrie, Alta.,resident had been an "avid aviator" since 1976, and pursued his passion forflying furtherin 2007 after a career with the Mounties.

The other two passengers were identified as Dr. Ken Gellatly and Sheldon Reid.

Gellatly, the father-in-law of Prentice's daughter Cassia,was a well-known Calgary optometrist anda part-time faculty member at the Vision Care Institute.

Reid, 60 was a retired Calgary businessman.

"Sheldon was an avid golfer, investor, and business enthusiast," the family said in a statement.

"He travelled extensively for his work and enjoyed telling stories from his times in the international business community, whether in China, Brazil, South Korea and South Africa."

Reid had oneson, Dylan.

Krukleaves behind wifeDarleneand two teenage sons,GraydenandRyland.

"Jim is dearly missed by his family and his lifelong friends in the Air Cadets, RCMP and aviation communities," the family said in a statement on Saturday.

"Jim was a professional's professional, meticulous and methodical in all his accomplishments," they added.

The 83 Juno Beach Royal Canadian Air Cadets in Calgary posted a message of condolence onFacebook.

"Jim leaves behind a family with a great connection to the cadet program, and the Canadian Armed Forces and we are saddened along with our entire community," the message said.

TSB investigation

TheCessnajet was en route from Kelowna, B.C., to theSpringbankairport, near Calgary, when it went down shortly after takeoff late Thursday.

The jet's owners, Norjet Inc., said in a statement Friday that the company will co-operate with the investigation.

Prentice, 60, who was also a former federal cabinet minister, quit politics in May 2015 after the Alberta NDP swept the Progressive Conservatives from power.

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