Engines on Jean Lapierre plane were functioning at time of crash: TSB

ILES-DE-LA-MADELEINE, Que. – Initial assessments of the plane that crashed with Jean Lapierre and six other people on board indicate its engines were operational at the time of the accident, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said Friday.

The former federal cabinet minister, his wife, three of his siblings and both crew members died Tuesday when their aircraft crashed on its landing approach about three kilometres from the Havre-aux-Maisons airport in Iles-de-la-Madeleine.

The TSB said the plane appeared to be flying level when it hit the ground.

A transport truck was expected to arrive at the scene Friday, with the wreckage to be examined during loading before being sent to Ottawa for further examination, investigator Andre Turenne told a news conference.

The process should take a few days.

“We have to make sure there is no more aircraft fuel that is leaking,” Turenne said. “The truck and the container have to be ready. We have to cut the aircraft into sections in order for it to go into the container.”

Turenne said air traffic officials in Moncton had given the plane clearance to land.

The aircraft is believed to have been carrying a GPS device.

While the TSB is hoping to produce its report within a year, Turenne said it could take a bit longer.

“The entire process will be lengthy but we owe it to the people and the families of those involved in the accident to conduct a thorough investigation,” he said.

Turenne also said the plane came to rest about 90 metres from the initial point of impact in a field.