RCMP Newfoundland and Labrador is leading the operation in relation to a plane crash that occurred on Monday, July 15, in a remote area of Labrador, approximately 100 kilometres southwest of Nain. The initial response was led by the Maritime Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), whose role ended last evening.
Seven males were on board the plane – the pilot from Quebec, two fishing guides from this province and four passengers from the United States. Three bodies were recovered yesterday. Search efforts will continue this week for the remaining four occupants of the plane. The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team is on the ground in Labrador and work is in progress to get them and their equipment to the remote site of the crash. Also supporting the efforts are RCMP Air Services, with spotters from Nain Ground Search and Rescue, and RCMP General Investigation Section. The Canadian Armed Forces Happy Valley-Goose Bay is on stand by to assist as needed.
The plane, a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, departed a fishing lodge at Crossroads Lake, east of Schefferville, Quebec, on Monday morning and was heading to a remote fishing camp on Mistastin Lake in northern Labrador. The plane was reported overdue late Monday night, after it failed to return by 7:00 p.m. as expected. It is unknown at this time if the plane crashed en route to the fishing camp or during its return.
The cause of the crash is not known and will be investigated by the Canadian Transport Safety Board.
Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.