Private helicopter crash outside Montreal leaves four dead

• All four occupants aboard a private helicopter died after it crashed and caught fire in a field in Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville, Quebec.
• The Sûreté du Québec's major crimes unit launched an inquiry into the crash's circumstances.
• The Transportation Safety Board deployed investigators, and Transport Canada will appoint an observer to monitor the inquiry.

Four people were killed Saturday afternoon when a private helicopter crashed and caught fire in a field near Highway 10 in Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville, approximately 55 kilometers southeast of Montreal.

Sûreté du Québec (SQ) spokesperson Brigitte Dorsainville reported that emergency services were called to the scene along Rang des Écossais at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET.

Upon arrival, first responders found the aircraft engulfed in flames. All four occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.

Following the suppression of the fire, the SQ's major crimes unit assumed control of the file.

Preliminary findings issued by police Saturday evening indicate that the helicopter likely experienced technical or operational difficulties shortly after takeoff, crashing a short distance from its departure point.

Provincial police did not specify the exact location from which the private aircraft departed, and the identities of the four victims have not yet been released.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) confirmed in a statement to CBC News that a specialized team of air safety investigators has been deployed to the crash site to gather evidence and determine the cause of the accident.

Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon offered condolences on social media, stating, "My thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy," while emphasizing that civil aviation safety remains a top priority for the federal government.

MacKinnon confirmed that Transport Canada is monitoring the situation and will appoint a "minister's observer". The appointed observer will track the TSB's investigation, assist in identifying regulatory safety deficiencies, and keep the transport minister directly updated.