4 fatalities

Ambulance Flight Crashes on Iced Lake Tessier (CF-FHG)

Lake Tessier, CanadaFlight

On January 29, 1951, a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver (registration CF-FHG) operated by Air Fecteau was involved in an aviation accident near Lake Tessier, Canada in flight. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It is possible that the crew lost control of the airplane after being caught by sudden snow fog. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine ambulance flight crashed on the frozen Lake Tessier in Quebec. The wreckage was found four days later; the pilot's body was recovered, and the second pilot's body was found on 6 April 1951. Two passengers were never found.

Accident Overview

A single-engine airplane on an ambulance flight crashed onto the iced surface of Lake Tessier. The aircraft was carrying two pilots and two passengers and was possibly en route to Oskélanéo. During the flight, the pilot lost control, and the airplane impacted the frozen lake.

Recovery

The wreckage was discovered four days after the accident. The body of the pilot, Gilbert Comptois, was recovered at the site. The body of the second pilot, Elzéar Comptois, was found on 6 April 1951. The bodies of the two passengers, Charlie Neepush and J. C. Neepush, were never located.

Probable Cause

The official investigation stated that it is possible the crew lost control of the airplane after being caught by a sudden snow fog.