Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 108

On September ninth, nineteen forty-nine, Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 108 tragically met its end when a dynamite time bomb detonated during its journey from Montreal to Baie-Comeau, Quebec. The aircraft, which had a scheduled stopover in Quebec City, was destroyed in mid-air, resulting in the loss of all nineteen passengers and four crew members aboard.

This catastrophic event marked a significant moment in aviation history, as it was the first airliner bombing case to be conclusively solved. A five-minute delay in the flight's trajectory led to the plane crashing on land rather than water, which ultimately allowed investigators to recover crucial evidence from the wreckage.

Through diligent investigation, authorities uncovered a conspiracy involving three individuals: Joseph-Albert Guay, Généreux Ruest, and Marguerite Pitre. Their motive was to obtain life insurance money, with Guay specifically aiming to eliminate his wife, who was a passenger, to pursue a relationship with his mistress. The case took a turn when Pitre confessed, implicating Guay while attempting to shield herself and her brother Ruest from blame.

However, Guay later provided a detailed forty-page confession to Quebec Premier Maurice Duplessis, revealing the full extent of the conspiracy and the involvement of his accomplices. The trio was subsequently tried for murder, found guilty, and faced execution for their heinous crime.