Quebec, Canada: Four people were killed after a helicopter crashed into a field and caught fire in Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville, in Quebec’s Montérégie region, on 26 September 2026. The crash happened shortly after 2:30 p.m. near Rang des Écossais, off Highway 10, about 50–55 kilometres southeast of Montreal. The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) said all four occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.
The SQ was called to the site after receiving reports that a helicopter had crashed and was on fire. Emergency crews brought the fire under control within about an hour. Police initially said the aircraft appeared to be a private helicopter, but did not identify its owner, operator, departure point or destination. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) was notified and sent investigators to the crash site.
The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation. Initial information from police indicated that the helicopter had encountered difficulties shortly after takeoff. However, SQ spokesperson Valérie Beauchamp later said the aircraft crashed while it was returning. This update changed the earlier understanding of the flight sequence, but authorities have not established what problem the helicopter experienced or what caused it to crash.
Police have also not confirmed the helicopter’s make, model or registration. Current reports do not establish a commercial operating company, and the aircraft is being described as privately operated.
The four people aboard were later identified. The pilot was Suzanne Jutras, 50, a commercial helicopter pilot based in Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville. Reports said she had more than 500 hours of helicopter flight experience and regularly conducted helicopter tours. She had also flown at the Les Félixeries family festival in Saint-Félix-de-Kingsey for the previous three years. Festival organisers described her as their “favourite pilot of the past three years” and offered condolences to her partner, family and friends.
Jutras’ friend Judy Frost, who had flown with her several times, told Global News that Jutras was professional and passionate about flying. Frost said Jutras had been excited about approaching 500 hours of flight time and described her as a “wonderful, wonderful lady” who was professional in the air.
The three passengers were members of the same family: Gabriel Jasmin, Chantal Raymond and Loucas Perreault. Océane Perreault identified them as her husband Jasmin, her mother Raymond and her brother Perreault. The three were taking the helicopter ride as part of a celebration for Raymond’s birthday.
Jasmin was a radio host and advertising producer at Énergie 106.1 in Sherbrooke, a Bell Media station. The station confirmed his death and expressed condolences to his wife, daughter, colleagues and loved ones. His widow said he left behind their daughter and described him as the “best dad in the world.”
Raymond was remembered by her family as an important figure in their lives. Her husband, Martin Perreault, described her as a pillar of the family and said the couple had built a life together filled with memories. He also remembered Loucas as his son and his pride, saying there was still much he had hoped his son would accomplish. He described Jasmin as having become an important part of the family and as someone with a zest for life who could make people laugh.
Océane Perreault wrote after the crash: “On Sept. 26, a part of my world flew away to heaven.” She said the loss had left her with pain, shock and emptiness and that the three people she loved most had been taken from her.
Witnesses in the area also described hearing the crash. One local resident, identified as Éric said, “We heard a little bang,” initially believing the sound had come from children nearby. He said he later realised what had happened. He also said that helicopter tours were familiar in the area and that residents regularly heard helicopters flying nearby.
SQ spokesperson Audrey-Anne Bilodeau said emergency services were quickly dispatched after the crash. The initial police assessment was that the helicopter had experienced difficulties before going down. Later, SQ spokesperson Valérie Beauchamp said investigators would conduct a detailed scene examination, collect as much information as possible and speak with witnesses to establish the circumstances and causes of the crash. “There will certainly be expertise carried out, as well as a scene analysis,” Beauchamp said.
The SQ’s Major Crimes Unit initially investigated the circumstances of the crash, while TSB investigators attended the site. The SQ later concluded its investigation and the matter was transferred to the TSB for the aviation-safety investigation. The TSB said it would gather information and assess the occurrence.
Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said Transport Canada was monitoring the incident and that a ministerial observer would be appointed to follow the response alongside the TSB. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy,” MacKinnon said. He also said the safety of civil aviation operations remains a priority for Transport Canada.
The cause of the crash has not been determined. Aviation-safety consultant and former TSB member André Turenne said investigators would need to examine the wreckage in detail. He noted that although helicopters generally do not carry an aircraft-style flight recorder, some may have electronic systems containing information that could assist investigators. He cautioned that the post-crash fire could complicate the recovery of such information.
The confirmed sequence is that the helicopter crashed in a field near Rang des Écossais on the afternoon of 26 September, caught fire, and all four people aboard died. The TSB investigation remains ongoing.
