The pilot of a small plane that crashed near the Quebec City airport made a distress call to the control tower moments before the aircraft hit the ground and exploded into flames today.
All seven people on board - five passengers and two crew - were killed.
The pilot sounded relatively calm amid the trouble, maintaining an even tone as he called in to report what appears to have been engine failure.
"Quebec tower, Aeropro 201 (here), we have a right engine problem, we're going to return for landing," the pilot told the tower.
"Roger," the controller responded, and asked if the pilot needed emergency services.
"Affirmative, we are unable to climb," the pilot answered.
Seconds later, another voice comes onto the control tower recording: "There was a fireball only three knots from the airport. I believe it's a King Air from Aeropro that just crashed."
Officials say the Beechcraft King Air 100 went down shortly after takeoff at 6 a.m. from Jean Lesage Airport.
It appeared to have crashed in the immense backyard of a luxury home near the airport, slicing through a group of trees.
Debris from the plane was heavily charred.
The 6 a.m. flight was heading for Sept-Iles in eastern Quebec.
It was operated by Aeropro, a 22-year-old company that runs business and recreational charters and claims 250 employees based out of the Quebec City airport.
The accident comes one month after another plane crashed in nearby L'Isle Aux Grues, killing four people. That flight slammed into an embankment 15 minutes after takeoff and disintegrating into flames.
The plane that crashed a month ago was also carrying an Aeropro sticker and its operator had business ties to Aeropro - but the company said Wednesday it did not own the plane that crashed into L'Isle Aux Grues.
The company told a 10 a.m. news conference that the plane had suffered engine failure Wednesday, causing pilots to lose control.
The national Transportation Safety Board is headed to investigate, as it customarily does in the case of plane accidents.
Authorities set up a security perimeter around the neighbourhood where the crash occurred. There were no civilian injuries.
Update: Seven die as small plane crashes after takeoff from Quebec City airport
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Published on
June 23, 2010
- Published on June 30, 2010
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Staff ~ The Telegram
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