6/17/2023 0 Comments Canadian air navigation charts![]() ![]() The entire debris field was approximately 568 feet in length. The wreckage trail began at the base of the tower and continued 138 feet past the main fuselage. Consequently, there was a large debris field. The helicopter sustained substantial structural damage during impact and began shedding major structural components prior to ground impact, including parts from the forward section of the fuselage, rotor blades and main rotor transmission. The damage sustained by both the helicopter and tower were consistent with a frontal impact with significant velocity. Both occupants were wearing helmets at the time of the accident.įollowing the crash, emergency services were notified and, approximately 1 hour later, attended the scene via a logging road. The last GPS position placed the helicopter about 1000 feet from the tower at an altitude of 1742 feet asl (275 feet agl) the speed was 104 knots.Īt 1338, while flying in a northwest direction, the helicopter struck the tower, at a point approximately 2⁄ 3 of its height, and subsequently crashed into the terrain below. The second last GPS position prior to the crash placed the helicopter approximately 2600 feet southeast of the tower at an altitude of 1755 feet asl (500 feet agl). Over the next 7 minutes, its altitude ranged from 1640 feet asl to 1860 feet asl, averaging about 1740 feet asl and the ground elevation varied from about 300 feet asl to 720 feet asl. The helicopter turned to the northwest and continued toward Kapuskasing. ![]() As it continued northeast, the terrain elevation became lower, increasing the helicopter's height above ground to as much as 800 feet agl. Because of the higher terrain, the helicopter's height was reduced to about 185 feet above ground level (agl). Shortly afterwards, a right turn to the northeast was commenced and the helicopter further slowed to 84 knots (see Figure 1). Shortly afterwards the helicopter began to descend, and for the remainder of the flight the altitude ranged between approximately 1550 feet asl and 1950 feet asl.Īt about 1327, approximately 17 nm prior to the occurrence location, the helicopter encountered an area of higher terrain, and slowed from 102 knots to 89 knots, Footnote 2 and climbed from about 1600 feet asl to about 1725 feet asl. ![]() According to the GPS data, the helicopter reached a maximum altitude of approximately 2300 feet above sea level (asl), 20 nautical miles (nm) from North Bay. Two hand-held global positioning system (GPS) devices were on board and data from one was recovered. The helicopter departed North Bay at 1226, and reported clearing the control zone on the North Bay mandatory frequency (MF), after which there was no known communication with air traffic services (ATS). Based on the information provided by the pilot and passenger, company senior personnel agreed that the weather was suitable for the intended flight. The pilot and the passenger separately briefed senior personnel from Essential Helicopters regarding the weather conditions. At the same time, the passenger reviewed the weather conditions on the NAV CANADA website. Factual Information Sequence of EventsĪt 1046, Footnote 1 the pilot telephoned the London Flight Information Center (FIC) to acquire weather information. The emergency locator transmitter functioned but its range was reduced significantly as its antenna was sheared on impact. Both occupants were fatally injured there was no post-impact fire. The helicopter then struck the ground approximately 430 feet beyond the tower, and was destroyed. During the flight, poor weather conditions were encountered and approximately 1 hour and 12 minutes after departure, in the vicinity of Elk Lake, the helicopter collided with a tower approximately 79 feet in height. ![]() The pilot was repositioning the helicopter for sightseeing flights planned at a local festival the next day. At 1226 Eastern Daylight Time, a commercially registered Bell 206B (registration C-GCHB, serial number 1226), operated by Essential Helicopters, departed North Bay for a visual flight rules flight to Kapuskasing, Ontario. ![]()
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