: In late 2015, Buffalo Airways briefly had its air operator certificate suspended by Transport Canada due to safety record concerns. Joe had to step back from certain management roles temporarily to allow the airline to resume service, though he remained the owner.
It wasn't just the virus. While sedated and on a ventilator, Joe suffered secondary infections. His family later revealed that he endured and struggled with kidney function . At one point, doctors reportedly gave him only a 10% chance of survival. The man who had stared down Arctic blizzards and engine fires was now fighting for his life in a sterile ICU bed.
In late 2015, . The grounding was due to the airline's "poor safety record". This was a devastating blow for a company that had built its reputation on reliability. With its certificate suspended, the airline could not legally operate its flights. what happened to joe mcbryan
Joe McBryan , better known as "Buffalo Joe," remains an active pilot and the owner of Buffalo Airways , though he stepped down from daily management over a decade ago. He continues to be a legendary figure in Northern Canadian aviation, frequently flying the daily route between and Hay River in a vintage DC-3 . Regulatory Challenges and Management Shift
: Following a high-profile grounding of the airline by Transport Canada in late 2015 over safety documentation concerns, Joe made the difficult decision to step away from day-to-day management to help the airline regain its operating certificate. : In late 2015, Buffalo Airways briefly had
The success of the airline led to a television producer taking an interest, and Ice Pilots NWT was born. The show, which ran for 73 episodes, was a worldwide hit, turning Joe, his son Mikey, and the entire McBryan clan into celebrities. The series didn't just showcase the stunning scenery of Canada's North; it highlighted the immense challenges and dangers of flying antique aircraft in sub-zero temperatures, with "Buffalo Joe" often portrayed as the shrewd, no-nonsense leader at the helm.
Joe lives mostly out of the public eye, though he occasionally surfaces in local Yellowknife news or in updates from aviation enthusiasts. Buffalo Airways still operates, but the iconic "Buffalo Joe" is no longer in the cockpit. While sedated and on a ventilator, Joe suffered
He transitioned from day-to-day operations to an advisory/ownership role.
