CF-18 demo shows grounded after crash

The remainder of the performances by the Canadian Forces CF-18 demonstration team were cancelled Friday, one week after one of the jets crashed in Alberta and its pilot was injured.

In a statement from the Department of National Defence, the military said there was insufficient time to nominate and prepare a substitute pilot for the rest of the team's performances.

"It is unfortunate we will not be able to finish the season," said Brig.-Gen. Richard Foster, the acting commander of 1 Canadian Air Division, "but we simply cannot and will not rush the preparation of another demo pilot.

"The well-being of our pilots and their safety will always be the deciding factors in such decisions."

The cancelled appearances include:

• Wetaskiwin Air Show: Wetaskiwin, Alta., Aug. 6-7.
• Abbotsford International Airshow: Abbotsford, B.C., Aug. 13-15.
• Windsor International Air Show: Windsor, Ont., Aug. 21-22.
• Val d'Or Air Show: Val d'Or, Que., Aug. 28-29.
• Canadian International Air Show: Toronto, Ont., Sept. 4-6.
• Nova Scotia International Air Show: Shearwater, N.S., Sept. 11-12.

Two October shows scheduled for California were also cancelled.

A team CF-18 crashed on July 23 during practice for the Alberta International Airshow in Lethbridge.

Pilot Capt. Brian Bews, 36, was making a low-speed pass at low altitude when he had to eject from the jet seconds before it smashed into the airstrip at the Lethbridge airport. Bews suffered back injuries but is expected to make a full recovery.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.