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The pilot involved in a fatal helicopter crash in Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville, Que., outside of Montreal on Saturday has been identified.
The plane crashed in a corn field near near Rang des Écossais, just off Highway 10, around 2:30 p.m., killing all four occupants — including pilot Suzanne Jutras.
Initially, the Sûreté du Québec said they believed the aircraft had experienced difficulties shortly after takeoff leading to the crash. In an update Sunday, however, SQ spokesperson Valérie Beauchamp said the crash happened when the aircraft was returning.
Jutras, a commercial pilot, was based in Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville, according to a Linkedin profile in her name.
She regularly offered helicopter tours, including last weekend at les Félixeries, a cultural and community festival in Saint-Félix-de-Kingsey, near Drummondville.
Festival organizers confirmed to CBC News that Jutras was the pilot killed in Saturday’s crash.
In a post on social media, les Félixeries paid tribute to Jutras, calling her their “favourite pilot of the past three years.”
“We extend our deepest sympathies to her partner, family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her through her passion,” the French-language post said.
Jutras had plenty of experience, said one of her friends, a fellow pilot who spoke to Radio-Canada off camera.
Radio host was on board
The SQ did not confirm the identities of the victims, referring any inquiries to the Quebec coroner’s office.
The office did not respond in time for publication.
CBC has learned, however, that one of the occupants was Gabriel Jasmin, a radio host and advertising producer at Énergie Sherbrooke radio.
Énergie 106.1 took to social media to express their condolences to Jasmin’s loved ones, including his wife and daughter and his team at Bell Media.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by his passing,” the post reads.
A social media post written by his widow says the other two passengers on board the helicopter were relatives.
The SQ says it had concluded its investigation and the matter is now in the hands of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said on Saturday that he would appoint a minister’s observer to monitor the response alongside the TSB.
