Two Student Pilots Killed in Midair Collision Near Steinbach, Manitoba

Signage for the Steinbach South Airport which is in close proximity to the scene of a crash involving two aircraft near Steinbach, Man., Tuesday July 8, 2025

Two student pilots were tragically killed Tuesday morning in a midair collision involving two single-engine Cessna aircraft during a training exercise south of Steinbach. The fatal incident occurred around 8:45 a.m. in the rural municipality of Hanover, approximately 50 kilometers southeast of Winnipeg.

According to Adam Penner, president of Harv’s Air, a well-known flight school based in the area, both pilots were conducting routine takeoff and landing drills when their aircraft collided just a few hundred yards from the airstrip. Both pilots were the sole occupants of their respective planes and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Lucille Plett, who lives near the area where two small planes crashed south of Steinbach, Man., took this photo on Tuesday morning

“It’s tragic. It appears to be a case of miscommunication or a failure to make visual contact,” Penner said. He added that while both aircraft were equipped with radios, it’s likely that the pilots did not see each other in time to prevent the collision.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed the fatalities and stated that no passengers were onboard either aircraft. RCMP Cpl. Melanie Roussel said during an afternoon press briefing that information remains limited as the investigation continues.

Savanna May Royes, 20, has been identified by her family as one of two student pilots killed in a mid-air collision between two small planes on Tuesday morning near Steinbach, Man

One of the victims has been identified by family as 20-year-old Savanna May Royes, who had long dreamed of becoming a pilot, following in the footsteps of her father. “Savanna’s faith and laughter will forever touch everyone who was lucky enough to have known her during her short life,” her family said in a written statement. “She was the essence of pure joy.”

Penner described the incident as devastating for the tight-knit community of aviation professionals and students. Harv’s Air, founded in the early 1970s by Penner’s parents, trains approximately 400 pilots annually from across Canada and around the world, offering instruction for both recreational and commercial licenses.

Adam Penner, president of Harv's Air flying school, said the crash involved students and happened during a training exercise

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has been notified and is expected to lead a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Steinbach, located about 42 miles south of Winnipeg, is home to a small but vibrant aviation community. The loss of the two students represents a profound tragedy for both the region and the broader international pilot training community.