Quebec - Montreal

On March 29, 1979 at 06:45 PM, Quebec - Montreal experienced a crash involving Fairchild F27, operated by Québecair, with the event recorded near Québec-Jean Lesage (Ancienne Lorette) Quebec.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

24 people were known to be on board, 17 fatalities were recorded, 7 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 70.8%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 21, passenger fatalities: 14, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Shortly after liftoff from Quebec-Ancienne Lorette Airport, en route to Montreal-Dorval Airport, the right engine caught fire. The captain contacted ATC, declared an emergency and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. He initiated a turn to the right when the airplane lost height, struck the ground and crashed in flames about 1,300 meters short of runway. Seven passengers were seriously injured while 17 other occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration C-FQBL, MSN 47, year of manufacture 1959.