La Grande Airport, QC (YGL/CYGL) → La Grande Airport, QC (YGL/CYGL)
Flight / Schedule
La Grande Airport, QC (YGL/CYGL) → La Grande Airport, QC (YGL/CYGL)
Aircraft
Canadair CL-415Registration
C-GQBE
MSN
2017
Year of Manufacture
1995
Date
June 24, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Fire fighting
Flight Phase
Take off
Crash Site
Substantial
Crash Location
24 nm W of La Grande Rivière Airport, QC -
Region
North America • Canada
Narrative Report
On June 24, 2026 at 12:00 AM, La Grande Airport, QC (YGL/CYGL) → La Grande Airport, QC (YGL/CYGL) experienced a crash involving Canadair CL-415, operated by Gouvernement du Québec, Service Aérien Gouvernemental, with the event recorded near 24 nm W of La Grande Rivière Airport, QC -.
The flight was categorized as fire fighting and the reported phase was take off at a substantial crash site.
0 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated.
other fatalities: 0.
A CL-415 water bomber, using the callsign QUE243, with two flight crew members on board, was conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) wildfire suppression mission from and to La Grande Rivière Airport, Quebec (CYGL). Upon arriving at the lake used for water scooping, QUE243 and another CL-415 (QUE245) each completed two reconnaissance circuits to check for obstacles. Finding none, both aircraft commenced scooping operations. During the eighth water scoop, just as the aircraft was about to leave the water, it struck a submerged rock. After becoming airborne, the crew noticed that the water tanks were draining, but observed no other abnormalities. Once the tanks had emptied, the crew flew two additional circuits over the lake and identified a rock that was very difficult to see because sunlight reflecting on the water gave it a reddish appearance, causing the rock to blend into the surroundings. QUE243 returned to CYGL without declaring an emergency. The aircraft was to be ferried to Québec City Airport (CYQB) under a flight permit for repairs.
Aircraft reference details include registration C-GQBE, MSN 2017, year of manufacture 1995.
Fatalities
Total
0
Crew
0
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
A CL-415 water bomber, using the callsign QUE243, with two flight crew members on board, was conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) wildfire suppression mission from and to La Grande Rivière Airport, Quebec (CYGL). Upon arriving at the lake used for water scooping, QUE243 and another CL-415 (QUE245) each completed two reconnaissance circuits to check for obstacles. Finding none, both aircraft commenced scooping operations. During the eighth water scoop, just as the aircraft was about to leave the water, it struck a submerged rock. After becoming airborne, the crew noticed that the water tanks were draining, but observed no other abnormalities. Once the tanks had emptied, the crew flew two additional circuits over the lake and identified a rock that was very difficult to see because sunlight reflecting on the water gave it a reddish appearance, causing the rock to blend into the surroundings. QUE243 returned to CYGL without declaring an emergency. The aircraft was to be ferried to Québec City Airport (CYQB) under a flight permit for repairs.
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
—
Passengers On Board
—
Estimated Survivors
2
Fatality Rate
—
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
La Grande Airport, QC (YGL/CYGL) → La Grande Airport, QC (YGL/CYGL)
Flight Type
Fire fighting
Flight Phase
Take off
Crash Site
Substantial
Region / Country
North America • Canada
Aircraft Details
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