The father of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds pilot who died when his plane crashed in Montana said the next time he was supposed to see his son was on his wedding day next month.

Ken McCaughey spoke to CBC Newsworld the day after the CT-114 Tutor jet of Capt. Shawn McCaughey, 31, of Candiac, Que., crashed Friday afternoon during a practice session for a weekend air show.

Capt. Shawn McCaughey, 31, was an instructor with 1,400 hours of flying experience. (DND)

His plane was flying in formation when it suddenly rolled out and plunged to the ground.

A Canadian Forces flight safety team arrived Saturday afternoon to investigate the crash, but would not comment to the media.

Ken McCaughey said the family received news of the accident when an official at the flying team's base in Moose Jaw, Sask., called him at home in Candiac about three hours after the crash.

"It's pretty tough right now," he said, adding that the last time he spoke to his son was on the phone Thursday night.

"He told me that he was going to Montana the following day. So I said, 'OK Shawn, we'll be seeing you on your wedding day,' because he was supposed to get married on June 9."

The pilot made no radio contact and didn't indicate he was having trouble, said Maj. Robert Mitchell, the Snowbirds' commanding officer.

Ken McCaughey said his son knew the risks of flying, but was determined to be the best.

"Shawn always wanted to be a pilot, since he was a kid, and he told us many times, 'This is the best job in the world.'"

Shawn McCaughey was in his second year with the Snowbirds. He joined the Canadian Forces in 2000 as a direct entry officer, and also held a civilian commercial pilot's licence.

Pilot 'rolling out' when he crashed

Elizabeth Mathias, a spokeswoman at the base, said nine Snowbirds were performing an inverted pass manoeuvre. McCaughey was in one of four jets that broke away from the pack and began flying upside down in formation.

"Normally when a pilot feels uncomfortable with a manoeuvre, they roll out of it. Capt. McCaughey was rolling out when he crashed," she said.

Flags at the base were at half-mast on Saturday in his honour, she added.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, in a statement Saturday, offered condolences.

"Capt. Shawn McCaughey served our country with distinction, honour and professionalism. On behalf of the government of Canada and all Canadians, my deepest sympathy goes out to his family, friends and fellow team members during this difficult time."

McCaughey was the sixth Snowbirds pilot killed in a crash since 1972.