Small Plane Crash at Montreal-Metropolitan Airport: What We Know

A routine Thursday afternoon took an unexpected turn at the Montreal-Metropolitan Airport (MET) in Longueuil, when a small aircraft crashed on the runway. While the incident caused immediate alarm and disrupted commercial air traffic, the outcome could have been far worse.

The Incident: A Close Call in Longueuil

The crash occurred around 4:12 PM on Thursday. According to Alain Lessard, division chief for the Longueuil Agglomeration Fire Department, the aircraft was carrying only the pilot—no passengers were on board. Upon impact, a small fire broke out on the runway, which was quickly brought under control by airport firefighters and supporting units from the Longueuil fire service.

The pilot, who survived the crash, was transported to the hospital. While he suffered only minor physical injuries, he was treated for severe emotional shock. Preliminary reports suggest the plane was arriving from Mont-Joli, located in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, although this detail is still awaiting formal confirmation.

Impact on Commercial Aviation

The crash took place on Runway 24 Right, a critical artery used by commercial carriers such as Porter Airlines and Pascan. As a result, the runway had to be shut down for nearly two hours to allow emergency crews to secure the site and clear the debris.

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• Closure Duration: Approximately 2 hours.
• Affected Carriers: Porter and Pascan flights.
• Recovery: Normal airport operations resumed around 6:45 PM.

Official Investigation Underway

Safety is the top priority following any aviation incident. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has taken charge of the investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. Hugo Fontaine, a spokesperson for the TSB, confirmed that the agency is currently gathering data to understand the sequence of events that led to the aircraft’s failure.

For those seeking more information on aviation safety standards in Canada, you can visit the official Transportation Safety Board of Canada website.

Summary of the Event

Despite the disruption to travel and the frightening nature of the crash, the rapid response of the Longueuil emergency services prevented the fire from spreading and ensured the pilot received immediate care. This event serves as a reminder of the critical importance of airport emergency protocols in mitigating disasters.