Air transportation

The occurrence

At 1025 Mountain Daylight Time on 14 April 2023, the Northwestern Air Lease Ltd. British Aerospace P.L.C. Jetstream Model 3112 aircraft (registration C-FCPE, serial number 825) departed Fort Smith Airport (CYSM), Northwest Territories, on a training flight (flight PLR732T) with the captain and the first officer on board. At 1227, the aircraft returned to the airport. Shortly after landing, the left main landing gear unit collapsed, and the aircraft veered off the runway. There were no injuries.

The occurrence

On 07 April 2023, at 0821 Eastern Daylight Time, the Bell 206L helicopter (registration C‑GLQY, serial number 45146) operated by Canadian Helicopters Limited – Hélicoptères Canadiens Limitée took off from ArcelorMittal’s facilities in Port-Cartier, Quebec, with the pilot and 3 passengers on board.

The occurrence

At 1134 Mountain Standard Time on 17 April 2023, the Government of Canada, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC-12/47E (registration C-GMPX, serial number 1017) departed Whitehorse/Erik Nielsen International Airport (CYXY), Yukon, on an instrument flight rules flight to Yellowknife Airport (CYZF), Northwest Territories. The pilot was the sole occupant.

The occurrence

An Airbus Helicopters AS350 B2, operated by Range Helicopters Inc, was returning to the Edson airport, Alberta, from a staging area supporting firefighting operations to the east of Edson. On approach to the airport, the pilot expedited his arrival due to incoming fixed-wing air traffic. On the final approach to landing, the helicopter entered a descent that resulted in a hard landing and roll-over.

The occurrence

A Mustang Helicopters Inc. Airbus Helicopter AS 350 B3 was conducting maintenance ground runs at Smithers Airport, British Columbia. While on the flight idle power setting, the helicopter began an uncontrollable rotation, striking 2 maintenance staff who were on the ground beside the helicopter. The pilot was able to cut the fuel to shut down the engine and keep the helicopter upright.

The occurrence

On 20 June 2023, a privately registered Quest Kodiak 100 amphibious float-equipped aircraft was conducting a flight from Masset Airport (CYZT), British Columbia, to a cabin located approximately 60 nautical miles northwest of Tofino, British Columbia, with four  people on board. During a go-around following a rejected landing, the aircraft collided with terrain.

The occurrence

On 28 July 2023, a float-equipped De Havilland DHC-2 Mk. I (Beaver) aircraft operated by Air Nootka Ltd. was conducting a flight from Louie Bay, on Nootka Island, British Columbia, to Gold River Water Aerodrome (CAU6), British Columbia, with one pilot on board. During approach near the CAU6 dock, the aircraft made an abrupt turn to the right, impacting trees and coming to rest approximately 50 m into the forest.

The aircraft was significantly damaged, and the pilot was seriously injured.

The occurrence

On 28 August 2023, a privately registered Cessna 152 aircraft, operated by AFS Aerial Photography, departed from the Claresholm Industrial Airport, Alberta, with one pilot on board. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft collided with terrain approximately 6000 feet northeast of the airport. The emergency locator transmitter activated, and its signal was received by several aircraft in the vicinity. There was no post-impact fire.

The pilot was fatally injured.