The TSB Releases its Final Investigation Report into the Canadian Coast Guard Helicopter Accident in Marystown, Newfoundland and Labrador, in 2005

News Release

(Gatineau, Quebec, March 1, 2007) - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) today released its final investigation report (A05A0155) into the fatal accident that occurred in Marystown, Newfoundland and Labrador, on December 7, 2005 involving a Canadian Coast Guard helicopter. During the course of its investigation, the TSB uncovered safety deficiencies and addressed those deficiencies to Transport Canada, without waiting for the publication of the final report, so that the problems could be corrected. A summary of the actions taken can be found in the attached Backgrounder. The Board will continue to monitor the actions taken and make its conclusions public.
The TSB report concludes that the helicopter encountered a heavy snow shower and, while attempting to fly out of the snow, the pilot likely became disoriented. Control of the helicopter was lost when the tail broke off after contacting the water during a rapid flare. The Board found that the survival equipment fitted to the helicopter sank with it, and was not available to aid the survivors after the accident. The occupants of the helicopter were not wearing sufficient personal survival equipment to enhance their potential survival in the frigid water. The helicopter was equipped with an underwater locator beacon (ULB) designed to activate upon immersion and to transmit an acoustic signal. However, the ULB did not transmit a detectable acoustic signal.
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 A05A0155 and the Backgrounder are available on the TSB site.
For more information, contact:
John Cottreau
Senior Media Relations Advisor
Telephone: (819) 994-8053
Cellular: (613) 292-4146
or
Geneviève Lamarche
Media Relations Specialist
Telephone: (819) 994-8067
Cellular: (613) 290-9875

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The TSB Releases its Final Investigation Report into the Canadian Coast Guard Helicopter Accident in Marystown, Newfoundland and Labrador, in 2005

News Release

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