DAAQUAM, Maine - A Toronto real estate developer known for his work restoring heritage buildings has been identified as the victim of a plane crash Monday in a remote snow-bound corner of Maine.

Paul Oberman, 53, was returning from a personal trip to Halifax when the four-seat plane crashed, a friend of the family confirmed Tuesday.

Rescue officials say another person on board was airlifted to hospital in Quebec City.

Oberman was known for restoring Toronto's iconic Gooderham Flatiron Building, the Summerhill train station as a large liquor store and the shops at Scrivener Square.

Bonnie Hillman, a friend of Oberman for about five years, said Tuesday he was a "passionate city builder" who had "impeccable taste."

Oberman was a devoted husband and father to six children, Hillman said.

He and his wife, who also worked in real estate, were known for the elegant parties held at their comfortable Toronto home, which is decorated with a substantial art collection, Hillman said.

"He loved interesting conversations and interesting people," said Hillman.

"He and his wife were incredibly generous and wonderful hosts."

Although Oberman, an avid adventurer, had a pilot's licence, Hillman was unable to confirm whether he was flying the plane prior to the crash.

Law enforcement officials were forced Tuesday to use snowmobiles and snowshoes to plow through snow that was almost two metres deep to reach the wreckage, near Depot Lake, about 18 kilometres from the Daaquam border crossing to Canada.

"Weather played a huge role, probably in the crash, but also in the search efforts that followed," said Steve McCausland of the Marine Public Safety Dept.

"There was heavy snow cover to begin with, and then this fresh stuff on top of it."

McCausland said wardens and state police were able to drive to within 13 kilometres of the crash site guided by co-ordinates from the Canadian military.

Oberman's body was transported to Augusta for an autopsy by mid-morning.

"This is probably one of the most remote sections in the state of Maine," said McCausland. "This is so deep in the Maine woods there is no chance that anyone is going to disturb the site."

Pilot radioed that plane was icing up: rescue officials

Rescue officials say the Diamond DA-40 was en route from Halifax to Quebec on Monday when the pilot radioed that his plane was icing up and that he was going to try to land at a local airstrip.

A Cormorant helicopter and a Hercules fixed-wing were dispatched from CFB Greenwood in Nova Scotia after voice contact was lost.

It was dark by the time the chopper arrived on scene, but a spokesman for the Halifax-based Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre said the crew was able to zero in on the plane's emergency transponder beacon.

"They were able to pick up one survivor and transport him to hospital in Quebec City," said Maj. Denis McGuire.

He said the Cormorant lowered a couple of rescue technicians to the ground to assist the survivor.

There was no word Tuesday on the condition of the unnamed survivor.

The National Transportation Safety Board will handle the crash investigation.

Funeral arrangements for Oberman are expected to be announced Wednesday.

By Tuesday evening, a Facebook page called "In Memory of Paul Oberman" had more than 50 members, many of whom sent their condolences to the family.

"We have not lost a heritage soldier, we have lost our General MacArthur," wrote one user.

"Fond memories of working with him on Summerhill," wrote another. "A creative, tireless mind and a huge heart. He will be missed."