Collision with terrain
Custom Helicopters Ltd.
Bell 206L helicopter, C-FYHN
Goose Bay Airport (CYYR), Newfoundland and Labrador, 75 NM N
The occurrence
On , a Bell 206L helicopter, operated by Custom Helicopters Ltd., departed from Goose Bay Airport, Newfoundland and Labrador, on a visual flight rules flight to Pangnirtung Airport, Nunavut, with only the pilot on board.
Approximately 75 nautical miles north of Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, the pilot encountered reduced visibility due to snowfall, and changed his planned route to see if the visibility would improve. The helicopter made several turns, began a descent, made a left turn, and then struck the frozen surface of Lewis Lake, Newfoundland and Labrador, coming to rest inverted.
The pilot exited through the right front door, activated the SOS function of a portable satellite communicator, and ensured that the Emergency Locator Transmitter was turned on.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Halifax, Nova Scotia, received the signal and dispatched a search and rescue helicopter to transport the pilot to Goose Bay Airport, Newfoundland and Labrador, where he was treated for minor injuries.
The wreckage was recovered shortly after due to melting ice conditions on Lewis Lake, Newfoundland and Labrador. The TSB is investigating.
Investigation information
A24A0019
Collision with terrain
Custom Helicopters Ltd.
Bell 206L helicopter, C-FYHN
Goose Bay Airport (CYYR), Newfoundland and Labrador, 75 NM N
Investigator-in-charge
Murray Hamm joined the TSB in 2010 as a Regional Senior Technical Investigator in the Air Investigations Branch at the Dartmouth office, Nova Scotia. Prior to that, he worked as a contracted employee for the 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (3 CFFTS) at the Southport Aerospace Centre located near Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, and held the position of Fixed Wing Chief Engineer.
Mr. Hamm has more than 30 years of aviation experience and worked for several fixed wing and rotary wing operations as a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. He holds both an M1 and M2 license, and has also enjoyed recreational flying as a private pilot, and as a glider student pilot.
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Class of investigation
This is a class 4 investigation. These investigations are limited in scope, and while the final reports may contain limited analysis, they do not contain findings or recommendations. Class 4 investigations are generally completed within 220 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail 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.