American father, 2 sons among passengers on floatplane in fatal Labrador crash

An American father and his two sons vacationing in Canada on a fishing getaway were on board the small floatplane that crashed into a remote Labrador lake on Monday, The Canadian Press has confirmed.

John Weaver II, 66, of Chicago is among the three men who have been confirmed dead, his wife Linda Weaver said in a brief phone conversation Friday.

The couple's sons Matthew Weaver, 38, and John Weaver III, 40, are among the four men who are still missing, she said.

She said that the family is "devastated" but holding out hope as the search slowly unfolds.

The body of a47-year-old fishing guidefrom Newfoundland and Labradorwas recovered from the wreckage as well as the bodies of the senior Weaver anda67-year-old man from New Jersey

Recovery mission began Friday

On Friday morning, the RCMPreleased more information on the seven peoplein the de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver planethatcrashed into Mistastin Lake on Monday.

Search and rescue technicians (SAR Techs)onboard a Cormorant helicopterrecovered the three bodies, after requesting permission from the coroner who has jurisdiction,said Maj. Mark Gough, a spokesperson for the Canadian Armed Forces.

"We asked to help in the recovery given the remote location of the crash as a means to help the RCMP but also to help provide closure for the families," Gough said in an email to CBC News onFriday.

Gough said thaton Tuesday, rescuers on a Herculesaircraft spotted three bodies in the water near the site of the crash. When the Cormorant arrived later that day the crew confirmed bodies in the water and the priority was to search for survivors.

One body was taken to the Nain RCMPdetachment, as that was the closest location for the helicopter to refuel, and the other two bodies were taken by Goose Bay RCMP, Gough said.

The remaining four men Matthew Weaver,John Weaver III, the 66-year-old pilotGilles Morin from Quebecand a 50-year-old guide from Newfoundland and Labrador are still missing. They are presumed dead.

Sources tell CBC News the 47-year-old man was from central Newfoundland, and that his body will bereturned to his family after an autopsy in St. John's.

I will always remember the stories he would share of his adventures.Doug Dorgan

A statement by Weaver Consultants Group, a Chicago-based company founded by the elder John Weaver in 1991, described him as "a nationally recognized leader in engineering and environmental service."

It also noted the younger John Weaver, known as Johnny, of Indiana, was a project manager with the company.

Weaver Consultants Group co-president Doug Dorgan described the company founder as someone defined by his mentorship qualities and his passion for sport and family.

"I will always remember the stories he would share of his adventures, his passion for the sport, and the time he spent with close family and friends," Dorgan wrote of his friend.

Matthew Weaver lived in Illinois with his wife and five-month-old daughter, the statement read.

3 fatal crashes in 9 years

The RCMP began flying10 to 15 peopleand supplies to Mistastin Lake in northern Labrador on Friday morning to search for the bodies of the missing, after weather impeded them Thursday.

Thefloatplanewas operated byAir Saguenay a small Quebecairline that has had three fatal crashes in nine years.

The RCMP underwater recovery team, Labrador's general investigation unitand air services headedto the area with help from Nain's ground search and rescue team.

Jean Tremblay, president of Air Saguenay, has describedMorin as a safe and experienced pilot who was loved by colleagues and friends.

Tremblay said the plane had recently been inspected and was not close to being due for another inspection. He said he was at a loss to explain what could have caused the crash.

Morin hadworked withThree Rivers Lodge in Labrador for about six years. Air Saguenay had earlier this week said he was 61 years old.

The group was flying from the lodge, near Schefferville, Que.,to Mistastin Lake as part of an excursion.

Robin Reeve, managing partner at Three Rivers Lodge, declined to comment Friday until all the plane's occupants had been located.

"We're all praying that they can find everybody," Reeve said.

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