Captain Jean Provencher, chief pilot, and a newly-hired first officer
took off from Montreal Dorval Airport this morning with a Metroliner and
nine passengers. In the initial climb an engine caught fire, a fire that
rapidly became out of control. Captain Provencher swiftly declared an
emergency and ironically brought is aircraft in final of another, closely
located but much less busy international airport for landing. He carried
an engine-out ILS in a 300-foot ceiling condition, his cockpit filled
with smoke. Witnesses report seeing the aircraft in short final with one
whole wing in flames. Captain Provencher made the runway but the
Metroliner exploded on contact, killing the 11 occupants.
Jean was a truly excellent pilot, appreciated for his sharpness and his
great people skills. He did a marvelous job on his last leg. So long
buddy.
Jean LaRoche
Montreal