The Royal Military Colleges of Canada Alumni Community Mourns the Loss of Two Royal Canadian Air Force Members
On June 20, a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CH-147F Chinook crashed in the Ottawa River near Garrison Petawawa. Two RCAF members, Captain David Domagala and Captain Marc Larouche, died in the crash.
Our sincere condolences go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Captain Domagala and Captain Larouche. Both RCAF members served Canada with honour, dedication and courage.
Captain David Domagala, 32, originally of Woodstock, Ontario, served in the Canadian Army Reserve before applying to become a pilot. After graduating from the Royal Military College in 2016, he completed pilot training and was posted to 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron in 2019. He deployed as a liaison officer on Operation CALUMET in Egypt, for which he received a Commander Commendation from Canadian Joint Operations Command. He commenced his training on the CH-147F Chinook upon redeployment.
Captain Marc Larouche, 53, originally of Amos, Quebec, earned a private pilot’s license before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force as a pilot. After attaining his pilot’s wings in 1993, he served with several squadrons, flying the CH-135 Twin Huey, CH-146 Griffon and CH-147F Chinook helicopters. He deployed internationally on Operation DELIVERANCE in Somalia and domestically on Operation PODIUM in British Columbia.
Government of Canada News release
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2023/06/royal-canadian-air-force-members-recovered-from-ch-147f-chinook-helicopter-crash-identified.html
June 23, 2023 – Winnipeg – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Following the official identification by the Coroner, and in accordance with the wishes of their families, the Royal Canadian Air Force is releasing the names of the two air crew members killed in the CH-147F Chinook crash on June 20, 2023, near Garrison Petawawa, Ontario. The two deceased members are:
- Captain 26764 David Domagala, RMC Class of 2016
- Captain Marc Larouche
Captain David Domagala, 32, originally of Woodstock, Ontario, served in the Canadian Army Reserve before applying to become a pilot. After graduating from the Royal Military College, he completed pilot training and was posted to 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron in 2019. He deployed as a liaison officer on Operation CALUMET in Egypt, for which he received a Commander Commendation from Canadian Joint Operations Command. He commenced his training on the CH-147F Chinook upon redeployment.
Captain Marc Larouche, 53, originally of Amos, Quebec, earned a private pilot’s license before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force as a pilot. After attaining his pilot’s wings in 1993, he served with several squadrons, flying the CH-135 Twin Huey, CH-146 Griffon and CH-147F Chinook helicopters. He deployed internationally on Operation DELIVERANCE in Somalia and domestically on Operation PODIUM in British Columbia.
As we grieve, the Royal Canadian Air Force asks the media and public to respect the privacy of the families of the fallen.
The investigation by the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Directorate of Flight Safety remains ongoing.
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- Captain Marc Larouche
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- Captain David Domagala
Les membres de l’Aviation royale canadienne retrouvés après l’accident de l’hélicoptère CH-147F Chinook ont été identifiés
Communiqué de presse
Le 23 juin 2023 — Winnipeg (Manitoba) — Défense nationale / Forces armées canadiennes
À la suite de l’identification officielle effectuée par le coroner, et conformément aux vœux des familles concernées, l’Aviation royale canadienne publie les noms des deux membres de l’équipage qui ont perdu la vie dans l’écrasement d’un appareil CH-147F Chinook survenu le 20 juin 2023, près de la Garnison Petawawa, en Ontario.
Ces deux membres sont les suivants :
- Le capitaine David Domagala
- Le capitaine Marc Larouche
Le capitaine David Domagala, 32 ans, originaire de Woodstock, en Ontario, a servi dans la Réserve de l’Armée canadienne avant de postuler pour devenir pilote. Après avoir obtenu son diplôme du Collège militaire royal, il a suivi une formation de pilote et a été affecté au 450e Escadron tactique d’hélicoptères en 2019. Il a été déployé comme officier de liaison dans le cadre de l’opération CALUMET en Égypte, pour laquelle il a reçu une Mention élogieuse du commandant du Commandement des opérations interarmées du Canada. Il a commencé sa formation sur le CH-147F Chinook lors du redéploiement.
Le capitaine Marc Larouche, 53 ans, originaire d’Amos, au Québec, a obtenu une licence de pilote privé avant de se joindre à l’Aviation royale canadienne en tant que pilote. Après avoir obtenu son brevet de pilote en 1993, il a servi dans plusieurs escadrons, pilotant les hélicoptères CH-135 Twin Huey, CH-146 Griffon et CH‑147F Chinook. Il a été déployé à l’étranger dans le cadre de l’opération DELIVRANCE en Somalie, et ici au pays dans le cadre de l’opération PODIUM en Colombie‑Britannique.
En ce moment de deuil, l’Aviation royale canadienne demande aux médias ainsi qu’au public de respecter la vie privée des proches des disparus.
L’enquête du Directeur – Sécurité des vols de l’Aviation royale canadienne se poursuit.
RIP and TDV/VDV