TSB # A03/2006
(Gatineau, Quebec, March 21, 2006) – The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) today released its final investigation report (A05P0262) into the accident involving a Far West Helicopters Bell 206 that rolled over into Devils Lake while attempting to land on October 26, 2005.
The investigation found that, during the landing, glassy water conditions impaired the pilot's ability to judge his height above the lake. The helicopter's floats touched the water before the pilot expected them to. The floats dug in, and the helicopter flipped over. During the flip, one of the helicopter's main-rotor blades broke on contact with the water and struck the pilot and the front-seat passenger. The pilot survived with minor injuries. The front passenger, who was not wearing a helmet, died of head injuries.
The Bell 206 helicopter, equipped with fixed float landing gear, was carrying out lake water sampling operations for Environment Canada. The pilot was landing the helicopter on lakes north of the Vancouver lower mainland area to collect the water samples with two Environment Canada employees. Following landings on eight different lakes, where the winds were light and variable, they attempted to land on Devils Lake, where the wind was calm. The water was quite glassy and was shaded from the sun by hills. When the helicopter struck the surface of the lake, it flipped onto its back. It remained afloat supported by the floats, but the cabin was submerged. The passenger from the back seat and the pilot were able to exit the wreckage, but the passenger seated in the left front seat was unconscious. The passenger who had escaped the wreckage rescued the front-seat passenger but she died about six days later from injuries received in the accident.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.
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The public report, A05P0262, is available on the TSB Web site.
For more information, contact:
John Cottreau
Senior Media Relations Advisor
Telephone: (819) 994-8053
or
Christian Plouffe
Media Relations Advisor
Telephone: (819) 953-7812
