(CP) – 2 days ago

KELOWNA, B.C. — One of six water bombers battling the Terrace Mountain fire near Kelowna, B.C., has crashed into Okanagan Lake.

Transportation Safety Board spokesman Bill Yearwood said Saturday the incident occurred just as the aircraft touched down to pick up water.

"The pilot was not injured to the extent that he was left incapacitated and was able to extricate himself," Yearwood said of the man who is being treated in hospital for minor injuries.

"I'm hoping to speak to the pilot later today when he's able to," he said.

The water bomber sank to the bottom of the lake in an area where about half of the 2,200 evacuees were returning home after crews managed to contain 25 per cent of the fire.

The amphibious aircraft drops water and retardant on fires and has wheels so it can operate on land and in water.

It's owned by the Conair Group of Abbotsford, B.C.

Conair general manager Rick Pedersen said the pilot has worked for the company for 10 years.

"He's very experienced in air tanker operations, both amphibious as this was as well as our other tanker operations."

Pedersen said the company has contracted six such aircraft to the B.C. government as part of a fire-fighting effort in the Okanagan.

All six bombers are based in Alberta, from where they are on loan to B.C., Pedersen said.

He said the company is not releasing the pilot's name for now.

"We're still supporting the pilot and his family so we'll get through that first."

Residents who are coming back to their homes are still on evacuation alert and could be faced with leaving yet again if the fire flares up.

The fire now covers about 45 square kilometres.

Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.