Eject! Eject! Eject! Oops!

A student pilot and his instructor suffered minor injuries when the student accidentally ejected from his Harvard II during a lesson Wednesday. Flight operations at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, a Canadian Forces Base in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, were temporarily suspended following the incident.

The Canadian student and instructor -- whose identities have not been released -- were preparing to taxi and were on the ramp when the 8:57 am incident occurred, according to The Moose Jaw Times Herald.

"Our priority at this time is to ensure that the instructor and student pilot are receiving the best medical care possible," said acting Wing Commander Lt. Col. Paul Goddard.

The instructor was only slightly injured, and remained in the aircraft during the incident. Both were taken to Moose Jaw Union Hospital where they were treated and released.

"The parachute opened and the student landed here on the ramp at Moose Jaw," said Goddard.

Student pilots in NATO Flying Training in Canada start their basic flight training in the CT-156 Harvard II, a variant of the Raytheon T-6 Texan II turboprop trainer. It can reach 18,000 feet in less than six minutes, and boasts sustained 2G turns at 25,000 feet.

The airport, also known as Air Vice-Marshal C.M. McEwen Airfield Moose Jaw is commonly referred to as the "Home of Military Pilot Training." It is the principle site of the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program and 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School also known as The Big 2 and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds.

An investigation by Canadian Forces Flight Safety has been launched.

"The ejection seat worked as advertised," said Goddard.

FMI: www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/15wing/about_us/general_e.asp