>
>Montreal, Thursday morning, 18 June 1998
>
>
>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 heroically 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