Quebec CL-415 Water Bomber Damaged Striking Rock During Wildfire Scoop

Quebec CL-415 Water Bomber Damaged Striking Rock During Wildfire Scoop

A Quebec government water bomber sustained substantial damage Wednesday after striking a submerged rock during a wildfire suppression mission in northern Quebec. The aircraft, a Canadair CL-415 registered as C-GQBE and operated by the Gouvernement du Québec's Service Aérien Gouvernemental, was flying under the callsign QUE243 when the incident occurred approximately 24 nautical miles west of La Grande Rivière Airport (CYGL).

According to the Aviation Safety Network (ASN), QUE243 and a second CL-415 (QUE245) each completed two reconnaissance circuits over the scooping lake to check for obstacles before beginning operations. Finding none, both aircraft commenced scooping runs. During the eighth water scoop, just as the aircraft was preparing to leave the water, it struck a submerged rock.

The two crew members on board reported that the aircraft's water tanks began draining immediately after becoming airborne, though no other abnormalities were noted. The crew performed two additional circuits over the lake after the impact and visually confirmed the location of the submerged rock. Investigators note the obstacle was difficult to detect due to sunlight reflecting off the water, which gave the rock a reddish appearance that blended into the surrounding environment.

The aircraft returned to La Grande Rivière Airport (CYGL) without declaring an emergency. No fatalities or injuries were reported.

Repairs and Next Steps

ASN reports the aircraft is scheduled to be ferried to Québec City Airport (CYQB) under a special flight permit for necessary repairs.

The incident underscores the inherent hazards of low-altitude water scooping operations, where dynamic light conditions can obscure submerged obstacles even after pre-mission reconnaissance circuits have been completed. Official comment from Canadian aviation authorities had not been released at the time of publication.