Plane involved in Remembrance Day ceremony crashes near Quebec City: Premier

A small plane involved in a Remembrance Day ceremony crashed near Saint-Georges airport in Beauce, about 100 kilometres south of Quebec City, according to local reporting.

The aircraft was part of a six-plane formation taking part in the city’s Remembrance Day ceremony, performing a Missing Man formation aerial salute before the crash occurred on its final approach for landing.

Authorities indicated the pilot was in critical condition at the scene as the plane caught fire following the crash. It was reported that the pilot was alone in the aircraft.

The pilot was identified by a source as 68-year-old Daniel Parent, with confirmation from provincial police that he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Sureté du Québec indicated a major-crime unit would investigate and the Transportation Safety Board would also travel to the scene.

Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon stated on social media that he is monitoring the situation with the Domestic Security Minister and offered condolences to the pilot’s family and loved ones.

A witness reported the plane appeared to break away from the formation and fly lower than the others before disappearing behind trees, with black smoke observed rising afterward.