2016 Magdalen Islands Mitsubishi MU-2 crash facts for kids
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A Mitsubishi MU-2 similar to the crashed aircraft
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| Accident summary | |
|---|---|
| Date | 29 March 2016 |
| Summary | Uncontrolled flight into terrain on approach caused by pilot error |
| Place | Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec, Canada 47°24′09″N 61°49′00″W / 47.4026°N 61.8167°W |
| Passengers | 5 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Fatalities | 7 |
| Survivors | 0 |
| Aircraft type | Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 |
| Airline/user | Aero Teknic |
| Registration | N246W |
| Flew from | Montreal Saint-Hubert Longueuil Airport, St-Hubert, Quebec |
| Flying to | Îles-de-la-Madeleine Airport, Magdalen Islands, Quebec |
On March 29, 2016, a small plane crashed while trying to land at the Îles-de-la-Madeleine Airport. This sad event happened in Quebec, Canada. The plane, a Mitsubishi MU-2, was operated by a company called Aero Teknic. Sadly, everyone on board died in the crash. Among the seven people were former Canadian politician Jean Lapierre, several members of his family, and the two pilots. Mr. Lapierre was traveling to his father's funeral with his wife and three brothers and sisters.
Investigating the Plane Crash
After the crash, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) started an investigation. The TSB is a group that looks into accidents involving planes, trains, and ships. They sent a team of experts to the crash site to find out what happened.
The investigators looked closely at the plane's wreckage. They found that the plane hit the ground with its left wing slightly lower and its nose pointing up. The crash happened in a field about two kilometers southwest of the airport. The plane slid for 91 meters after hitting the ground before it stopped.
Experts checked the engines and found they were working right up until the moment of impact. This type of small plane does not need to have "black boxes" (flight recorders) installed. These devices record flight information and conversations in the cockpit. However, this plane had a different kind of recording device. Investigators found it was still working and could help them understand the crash.
The plane's parts were moved to the TSB's special lab in Ottawa for more study. The investigation has now finished. Experts from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board also helped. The company that made the plane, Mitsubishi, also sent their own investigators to the site.
Who Was On Board?
The crash was a very sad event for many people. The two pilots, Captain Pascal Gosselin and co-pilot Fabrice Labourel, were among those who died.
Also on the plane was Jean Lapierre, a well-known person in Canada. He used to be a Member of Parliament, which means he was elected to help make laws for the country. He even served as the Minister of Transport, overseeing transportation in Canada. He worked with former Prime Minister Paul Martin. Later, Mr. Lapierre became a popular TV and radio host in Quebec.
Many important people shared their sadness about the crash. This included Canada's current Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and former Prime Minister Paul Martin. The mayor of Montreal, Denis Coderre, also expressed his sorrow. A funeral for Jean Lapierre and his wife was held on April 16. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife attended the service.
