Two women who died in South River plane crash were not locals

The two women who died in a plane crash near the South River Sundridge Airpark on Thursday were not from this area BayToday has confirmed.

A source close to the victims says one woman, the co-pilot from Niagara-On-The-Lake, died on impact.

The pilot and owner of the plane died later in hospital. She was from Ottawa. Both women were highly experienced, said the source, each having more than 20 years of flying experience. 

BayToday is not naming the women until police officially release their identities.

See: Two dead in South River plane crash

At the time of the crash, the women were involved in an airplane event known as the Gold Cup Air Rally, open to all women pilots  Flying challenges were scheduled Friday and Saturday.

The rally is not a race but an all-women’s cross country challenge, flown in daytime visual flight rules conditions only. It is based on challenges such as aviation-related questions, ground photos, calculation of fuel consumption, spot landing, and more. There must be a minimum of two persons per aircraft says the event web page.

The event is organized by a group called The Ninety-Nines and "is open to all female pilots, who look to inspire, share, learn, and encourage other females who are looking to fly."

This year's Gold Cup Air Rally destination was the South River Sundridge Airpark.

Rally literature says "Stay at the local motel, camp under the wing or in a cabin. Participate in the fly-out activities, or just relax hiking, swimming, canoeing, or joining us for a boutique brewery and distillery tour, cycling, horseback riding or fishing…something for everyone!"

The accident is being investigated by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.