What Happened To Joe Mcbryan (EASY × 2025)

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.

Before we discuss his downfall, it’s essential to understand the man. Joe McBryan started Buffalo Airways in 1970 in Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada. The airline specialized in hauling fuel, freight, and passengers to remote Arctic communities using WWII-era piston-engine aircraft. Joe was a mechanical genius and a fearless pilot who became a living legend in northern Canada.

In recent years, federal regulators slapped Joe with a brief, high-profile 10-day pilot's license suspension. The penalty stemmed from allegations that he had executed a flight through low, thick fog below legal visibility limits two years prior.

: Joe became famous for his gruff, no-nonsense leadership style, his fierce loyalty to his pilots, and his deep refusal to give up on historic aircraft. what happened to joe mcbryan

Joe's career has been defined by a famously "turbulent" relationship with Transport Canada.

While Joe was on TV, his real-world business was quietly falling apart. The most significant "what happened" isn’t about TV drama—it’s about

This crisis led directly to a major change for Joe McBryan. Under immense pressure from Transport Canada, he signed a letter agreeing to . A consultant brought in to help reinstate the certificate described this as "an extreme step," but one that was necessary to prove that the company was serious about overhauling its safety management systems. It wasn't just the virus

In late 2025, misinformation regarding Joe McBryan’s health circulated online. These rumors were strongly countered by his son, Mikey McBryan, who acts as the Director of Operations for Buffalo Airways.

: Despite the industry's shift toward automation, Joe is still known for hand-flying his planes and maintaining a deep connection to the communities in the Northwest Territories. He is frequently spotted at the Yellowknife hangar, still deeply involved in the "Buffalo" way of life.

: Mickey launched a highly successful YouTube channel called Plane Savers , keeping the Buffalo Airways brand alive for millions of fans globally. At one point, doctors reportedly gave him only

On June 11, 2018, while Joe McBryan was on a trip to Alberta, his son and daughter Julie McBryan orchestrated a boardroom coup. With the support of the company’s board of directors (which included Joe’s other son, Rod, and long-time lawyer, Bob Duggan), they voted to remove Joe as president and director of Buffalo Airways. They also removed him from the boards of several associated companies.

, affectionately known worldwide as "Buffalo Joe," is alive, well, and still flying . As the legendary founder of Buffalo Airways and the star of the hit reality television series Ice Pilots NWT , McBryan has spent over half a century operating vintage aircraft in Canada’s rugged Northwest Territories. Despite persistent online rumors regarding his health and retirement, the octogenarian aviator continues to be a central fixture in northern aviation, though his role shifted dramatically following a high-profile battle with federal regulators. 🛠️ The Regulatory Battle and Stepping Aside

: He remains a revered figure in northern Canadian history, recognized for single-handedly keeping the spirit of golden-age aviation alive in the harshest environment on earth.

Mikey and Julie did not just defend themselves; they counter-sued. Their legal filings included affidavits from employees, business associates, and even former medical professionals who alleged that Joe’s behavior had become erratic and dangerous.