News release

Today, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada released its investigation report (A21P0107) into a fatal occurrence where a helicopter collided with water in Jervis Inlet, British Columbia.

On October 4, 2021, a Kaman K-1200 operated by Black Tusk Helicopter Inc. was conducting logging operations with one pilot on board. After dropping off a load of logs in an ocean pen, the helicopter turned around and initiated a climb to pick up another load. Soon after, the helicopter entered a rapid descent and impacted the water within the log pen and sank. The company, which had been in regular radio contact with the pilot, initiated an immediate search of the occurrence area and then called emergency services. During the search and rescue operation, portions of all four main rotor blades were recovered. Eight days later, the helicopter was located using sonar. The pilot was fatally injured.

The investigation found that the accident resulted from an in-flight breakup of the helicopter’s rotor system when a blade on the left rotor collided with a blade on the right rotor. The blade contact sequence started with a fracture of the bond joint between the servo flap’s inboard closeout and afterbody on a left rotor blade. The fracture likely initiated a fatigue crack in the servo flap skin that progressed until the afterbody separated in flight. This separation caused sudden vibrations in the left rotor system, the flutter of the three other rotor blades, and the failure of the left pylon structure that allowed for the blade contact.

Following the occurrence, the TSB issued an Air Safety Advisory Letter to Transport Canada (TC) informing them of the need for further examination of servo flap fractures on Kaman K-1200 helicopters. In response, TC stated that it was satisfied with the current manufacturer instructions for continued airworthiness, and that the United States Federal Aviation Administration is responsible for the airworthiness of these helicopters. Kaman Aerospace Corporation, the manufacturer, has since performed various tests on the servo flaps and plans to continue testing.

See the investigation page for more information.