A weekend helicopter flight intended to mark a family birthday ended in tragedy in Quebec, leaving pilot Suzanne Jutras, 50, and three passengers dead after the aircraft crashed in Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville, in the Montérégie region.
The fatal accident happened on Saturday, September 26, 2026, shortly after 2:30 p.m. near Rang des Écossais, southeast of Montreal. The helicopter came down in a field and caught fire, with all four people aboard dying in the crash.
Jutras was later identified as the pilot. The three passengers were Gabriel Jasmin, Chantal Raymond and Loucas Perreault, members of the same family who had been taking the helicopter ride as part of a birthday celebration for Raymond.
Suzanne Jutras Dies in Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville Helicopter Crash
According to the Sûreté du Québec, emergency services were called shortly after 2:30 p.m. following reports that a helicopter had crashed in a field in Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville.
The aircraft caught fire after the crash, prompting firefighters and other emergency responders to attend the scene. The fire was brought under control, while police established a perimeter around the wreckage.
All four occupants were pronounced dead.
Initial information indicated that the helicopter experienced difficulties shortly after takeoff. Later reporting indicated that the aircraft was returning when it crashed, although investigators have not established what problem led to the emergency or what ultimately caused the aircraft to go down.
Who Was Suzanne Jutras?
Suzanne Jutras was a helicopter pilot based in Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville and was remembered by people who knew her as an experienced and passionate aviator.
Reports said she had accumulated more than 500 hours of helicopter flight experience. Friends also described her as professional and enthusiastic about flying.
Jutras had reportedly conducted helicopter flights for the Les Félixeries family festival in Saint-Félix-de-Kingsey during the previous three years. The festival organization publicly expressed its condolences following her death.
Her death has therefore resonated beyond her immediate circle, particularly among people who knew her through aviation and the communities where she provided helicopter flights.
The Three Passengers Who Died
The three passengers aboard the helicopter were later identified as Gabriel Jasmin, Chantal Raymond and Loucas Perreault.
Family members said the flight had been arranged as part of a birthday celebration for Chantal Raymond. Océane Perreault, who lost her mother Raymond, brother Loucas and partner Gabriel Jasmin in the same crash, described the loss as an overwhelming personal tragedy.
Jasmin was a radio host with Énergie 106.1, a Bell Media station serving Quebec’s Eastern Townships. The station confirmed his death and expressed condolences to his family, daughter, friends and colleagues.
Raymond was remembered by her husband, Martin Perreault, as an important part of their family after decades together. He also mourned the loss of their son Loucas and their son-in-law Jasmin.
Quebec Helicopter Crash Victims
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Pilot | Suzanne Jutras |
| Pilot’s age | 50 |
| Passengers | Gabriel Jasmin, Chantal Raymond, Loucas Perreault |
| Total aboard | 4 |
| Fatalities | 4 |
| Crash date | September 26, 2026 |
| Approximate time | Shortly after 2:30 p.m. |
| Location | Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville, Quebec |
| Crash area | Rang des Écossais |
| Aircraft operation | Reported private helicopter flight |
| Investigation | Transportation Safety Board of Canada and Sûreté du Québec |
What Caused the Quebec Helicopter Crash?
The official cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada confirmed that it deployed investigators to the crash site to gather information and assess the occurrence. The TSB is responsible for investigating transportation occurrences and does not assign criminal or civil responsibility.
Investigators will examine the wreckage, available records, witness information and other evidence as they work to establish what happened before the helicopter struck the ground.
The fact that the helicopter reportedly experienced difficulties shortly after takeoff does not, by itself, establish the mechanical or operational cause of the crash.
A Birthday Celebration Turns Into Tragedy
The circumstances surrounding the flight have added another layer of sadness for the families.
According to family accounts, the helicopter ride was intended to celebrate Chantal Raymond’s birthday. Instead, the flight ended with the deaths of Raymond, her son Loucas, her son-in-law Gabriel Jasmin and pilot Suzanne Jutras.
For the surviving family members, the tragedy represents the sudden loss of several people who were central to their lives.
Jasmin also leaves behind a young daughter with his partner, Océane Perreault.
Remembering Suzanne Jutras
Tributes to Jutras have highlighted her connection to aviation and the people she met through flying.
Friends described her as someone who was passionate about helicopters and professional in the air. Her experience as a pilot had also made her a familiar figure to people connected with local helicopter activities and events.
Her death has left a significant void among family members, friends, fellow aviation enthusiasts and others who knew her.
At the same time, the families of the three passengers are mourning the loss of their loved ones following a flight that was supposed to be a joyful family occasion.
Investigation Continues
The crash scene has been examined by investigators as authorities work to determine the sequence of events.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has taken part in the investigation, while the Sûreté du Québec also conducted investigative work at the scene.
Authorities have not yet released a final explanation for why the helicopter crashed.
Investigators are expected to continue analyzing the available evidence before any definitive conclusions can be made.
Funeral and Memorial Information
Funeral and memorial arrangements for Suzanne Jutras, Gabriel Jasmin, Chantal Raymond and Loucas Perreault were not included in the latest reports reviewed for this article.
Additional information may be released separately by the families as arrangements are finalized.
A Lasting Loss in Quebec
The Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville helicopter crash has left four families and a wider circle of friends, colleagues and community members grieving.
For those closest to Suzanne Jutras, her memory is tied to her passion for aviation and the relationships she formed throughout her life. For the families of Gabriel Jasmin, Chantal Raymond and Loucas Perreault, the tragedy represents the sudden loss of three members of the same family during what was intended to be a birthday celebration.
The investigation will continue as authorities seek answers about the circumstances that brought the helicopter down.
May Suzanne Jutras, Gabriel Jasmin, Chantal Raymond and Loucas Perreault rest in peace, and may their families and loved ones find strength and comfort during this devastating time.
Disclaimer
This article is based on reports from Quebec authorities, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and Canadian news organizations available at the time of publication. The investigation into the helicopter crash remains ongoing, and the official cause has not yet been established. Details may be updated as investigators release additional findings.