Background
On an unspecified date, Dr. Pierre Bornais at Fort George, Quebec, received a call at 1430LT reporting that two children, aged 4 and 9, had high fever and required urgent transfer to a hospital at Fort George. A De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, a single-engine aircraft operated by Air Fecteau, was chartered to transport the boys from Comb Island.
Occupants
The aircraft carried six occupants: pilot André Sigouin (age 23); nurse Céliane Bernard (age 23); children Jenny Kanatewat (age 4) and Bryan Kanatewat (age 9); and their grandparents, Albert Kanatewat (age 55) and Lucie Kanatewat (age 54).
Accident
During takeoff in marginal weather conditions, the airplane struck a wave with its tail and crashed in Baie James, between Wemindji and Fort George. The aircraft sank, and all six occupants were killed.
Response
At 1700LT, search and rescue (SAR) teams were dispatched to the site. The pilot's body was recovered first; the other five bodies were recovered the following day. The wreckage was later recovered and transferred.