1 Pilot Killed in Quebec Remembrance Day Plane Crash — What Happened?
Quick answer: A pilot died when his private plane crashed in a wooded area near Saint-Georges airport in Quebec's Beauce region on the morning of Wednesday 11 November 2026, during a Remembrance Day ceremony. Radio-Canada reported the pilot was 68-year-old Daniel Parent, a member of the Club Aéronautique de Beauce. He was alone in the plane, and the cause of the crash had not been confirmed.
Key facts
- What: Small private plane crashed in a wooded area
- Where: Near Saint-Georges airport, Saint-Georges, Beauce region, Quebec, Canada — about 100 kilometres south of Quebec City
- When: Shortly after 11 a.m. on Wednesday 11 November 2026
- Deaths: 1 pilot, a man in his 60s; Radio-Canada reported his name as Daniel Parent, 68
- Injured: None reported; the pilot was the only person on board
- Aircraft: Private plane, one of a formation of six civilian aircraft
- Emergency number: 911
- Status: Under investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada; cause not known
What happened
The Sûreté du Québec, the provincial police, was notified shortly after 11 a.m. on Wednesday 11 November 2026 that a small plane had crashed in a wooded area close to the local airport in Saint-Georges, Que., about 100 kilometres south of Quebec City.
The plane was one of a formation of six private aircraft performing the "Missing Man" fly-past as part of a Remembrance Day ceremony in Saint-Georges. One of the aircraft separated from the formation and crashed. Saint-Georges mayor Manon Bougie said: "It was a deeply sad and tragic moment. ... Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this terrible accident."
The plane was on approach for landing when it crashed, according to the city's fire department. Fire Chief Frédéric Morin said crews arrived in under six minutes, but the aircraft was already fully engulfed in flames and firefighters were unable to save the pilot.
Resident Michel Rodrigue, who lives about two kilometres from where the ceremony was held, said he heard a metallic sound when the plane landed in the woods across from a neighbour's property, about 100 feet from his house. He said he saw the flames and grabbed fire extinguishers, but they were not enough. All the aircraft involved were private planes with civilian pilots.
Police initially said the pilot was seriously injured, then confirmed his death shortly before 1:30 p.m. Police had not publicly identified the pilot, although Radio-Canada reported he was 68-year-old Daniel Parent, a member of the Club Aéronautique de Beauce.
Reaction
Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon posted his condolences on X, saying the situation was being closely monitored and that he was in touch with the province's domestic security minister, Guy Lapointe Jr. Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said on Facebook that he was saddened to learn of the pilot's passing. Several other provincial and federal politicians also shared their sympathies.
Where it happened
Saint-Georges is a city in the Beauce region of Quebec, about 100 kilometres south of Quebec City, near the airport where the formation had been flying. Canada as a whole records an estimated 2,125 road deaths a year (WHO rate 5.3 per 100,000). In an emergency in Canada dial 911; from most GSM mobile phones 112 also connects to local services. See the Canada live accident page for everything reported there in the last 24 hours.
Road safety in Canada: the numbers
Canada has a WHO-estimated 5.3 road deaths per 100,000 people — below the global average of about 15, ranking #164 of 195 countries by death rate. Across its population that works out to roughly 2,125 estimated deaths every year. Over the last two decades the rate has fallen by about 43.2% — see the full trend chart on the Canada tracking page. Driving rules for visitors — speed limits, alcohol limit, which side of the road — are on the Canada driving laws page.
Aviation context
- Commercial flying remains the safest transport per kilometre travelled
- Investigations like this typically take months — early theories often prove wrong
- Official findings come from the national investigation authority, not initial media reports
- Our aviation incident tracker follows verified cases from official data
What happens next
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the national air accident investigation authority, is deploying investigators to the crash site to gather information and assess what happened. A preliminary report normally appears within 30 days of a crash, with a full report taking between one and two years. We update the Canada live page as new reports surface; the original outlet linked below will carry the confirmed figures first.
Source: CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/aircraft-crash-beuce-saint-georges-qc-9.7418143
Frequently asked questions
Who died in the Quebec plane crash?
A pilot in his 60s, the only person on board the plane. Radio-Canada reported he was 68-year-old Daniel Parent, a member of the Club Aéronautique de Beauce. Police had not publicly identified him.
Where did the plane crash?
In a wooded area close to Saint-Georges airport in Quebec's Beauce region, about 100 kilometres south of Quebec City, as the plane was on approach to land.
What was the plane doing?
It was one of six private aircraft in formation performing the "Missing Man" fly-past as part of a Remembrance Day ceremony in Saint-Georges on 11 November 2026.
What caused the crash?
The cause had not been confirmed. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating.
What is the emergency number in Canada?
Dial 911. From most GSM mobile phones, 112 also reaches local emergency services.
In this story
- Canada: live accidents and road deaths
- Driving laws in Canada
- Plane crashes and air incidents this month
More from Canada
- How did an adult and an infant die in a crash on Highway 69 south of Sudbury? ·
- How Did 4 Teenagers Die and 2 Get Life-Threatening Injuries in a Single-Vehicle Crash in Puslinch? ·
- How Many Pedestrians Die in Canada Each Year? ·
- How Did 2 Drivers End Up Airlifted After a Five-Vehicle Crash on Highway 10 in Grey Highlands? ·
- How Dangerous Are Canada's Roads for Young People? ·
- How Many Casualties Were Reported After the Fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta? ·
More from the tracker
Watch accidents unfold in real time on the live world map, check the 2026 statistics, or browse all articles.