Veteran wildfire pilot Robert MacLeod remembered as trusted leader and patient mentor
Buffalo Airways captain Robert MacLeod, who died in a plane crash near Fort Simpson, N.W.T., on June 24, had more than 25 years of aerial firefighting experience.
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Robert MacLeod, a veteran aerial firefighting pilot, was killed on June 24 when his Turbo Commander 690 crashed near Fort Simpson, N.W.T., while providing tactical support for a water bomber fighting a wildfire.
MacLeod, a Buffalo Airways bird dog captain, had spent more than 25 years in aerial firefighting across Canada. He worked with territorial and provincial wildfire agencies in that role for the past three seasons. Before joining Buffalo Airways, he served as a bird dog and waterbomber pilot in New Brunswick.
Beyond his firefighting work, MacLeod was a medevac captain and flight instructor known for being a "patient mentor and dependable teammate," Buffalo Airways said in a Facebook post. The company described him as an expert in his field who kept a cool head under stress.
MacLeod and two firefighters were on board the Turbo Commander when it crashed.
