According to an e-mail sent out to employees of a local supply company, one of the victims killed in a fiery plane crash near Sundre on Friday was Steve Brosseau – a man who had recently purchased a light aircraft in partnership with another individual.
The note was sent to workers of SMS Equipment Inc. on Saturday night. It follows an RCMP-issued press release that stated a 43-year-old man from Spruce Grove was among the three people killed when the Cirrus model SR-22 went down around 1:30 p.m.
The aircraft's owner, 51-year-old Charles Matson of Calgary, was also killed in the incident, along with an unidentified 42-year-old man from Edmonton.
Investigators have yet to determine who was in the pilot's seat.
The Canada Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash, which happened about 30 minutes after takeoff and left no survivors.
Investigators say they've ruled out weather as a factor, but will be looking into what role mechanical and human error may have played. An electronic flight information system was recovered from the site and may provide clues.
Officials say they also need to determine why a safety parachute wasn't deployed.
According to SMS Equipment Ltd., Brosseau had worked in various sales positions with the company since 1994 and served as the General Manager of sales for mining equipment since 2001.
The email sent out to employees reads in part, "We do know that Steve was excited about flying and that he was pursuing his passion and his dream.
"He had many great relationships and will be missed by many people both at SMS and throughout our network of customers and suppliers."
Calgary's hockey community, meanwhile, is grieving the loss of Matson, who was a former part-owner of the WHL Hitmen team.
Theo Fleury was a close friend. He issued a statement to CTV, describing Matson as "a tremendous family man" who had "deep faith" and says it feels like he's lost a brother.
Matson leaves behind a wife of 31 years and three daughters.
