A year later, effects of Fort Smith, N.W.T., plane crash still linger, says father of survivor

Jay Macdonald's son, Kurt Macdonald, was the only person who survived when a plane crashed and caught fire near the airport in Fort Smith, N.W.T., a year ago.  

The elder Macdonald, who also serves as the region's MLA and as a territorial minister, reflected this week on some of the complicated feelings he has about the tragedy that spared his son, but claimed the lives of the other six people who were on board. Thursday was the anniversary of the crash. 

"I knew everyone on the plane," Jay said. "I felt obviously very, very happy that my son survived. At the same time, I felt a lot guilt that he survived … it was a really challenging day." 

Kurt Macdonald didn't want to be interviewed this week.

Jay said his son is on the road to recovery. Though he's unsure if the emotional trauma will ever fully go away, he said Kurt is strong and has a lot of support – including that of his own son, Ari, who was only months old at the time. 

"Ari is a tremendous light in all our lives … I think, you know, Ari really keeps [Kurt] grounded and focused," said Jay, adding that he's proud of the strength his son has shown. 

Reaching out for help a sign of strength, says mayor

A candlelight memorial was held at St. John's Anglican Church in Fort Smith on Thursday to mark the anniversary of the crash.

The Northwestern Air Lease plane, a British Aerospace Jetstream aircraft, had been bringing a crew of workers to the Diavik diamond mine on Jan. 23, 2024, when it crashed shortly after taking off. 

Four passengers and two Northwestern Air Lease crew members were killed, including flight crew member Paszolo Alba, 24, heavy equipment operator Howie Benwell, 30, and heavy duty mechanic Joel Tetso.

Speaking to those gathered for the service on Thursday evening, Fort Smith Mayor Dana Fergusson said that the glow of the candles "reminds us of the lives we lost, the love they shared, and the enduring bond of this community." 

Aaron Solberg, a priest at St. John's Anglican Church, said that church is all about community and while it can't take away people's pain, it can help people walk with that pain. 

"Too often I hear people say to me, 'I didn't call you 'cause I didn't want to bother you.' I said it's a bigger bother when you don't call me. I want to be there for you. We want to be there for you as a church, as a family. That's what we do." 

Fergusson also urged those struggling with grief to seek help. 

"Reaching out for support is not a sign of weakness, but an act of courage and strength," she said. "Together we will continue to heal, to remember, and to move forward, carrying their memory as a source of strength and inspiration." 

Family is most important

Jay Macdonald says the crash has affected him as a person, and as a politician.

"In the role I'm in now, as a minister, there's a lot of demands on my time, a lot of different things as an MLA as well," he said. "But family is the most important thing. 

"I'm not [a] pound-the-table kind of politician. I like to work with people and see what we can do together. And I think this really just gave me maybe a little bit more focus in that direction … you need to be respectful of others because you don't know what people's situations are and what people have gone through."