Incident Overview
On December 16, 2009, at 0720 eastern standard time, a Robinson R-44 helicopter, registered as C-GDSF, executed an emergency landing near the Bonaventure Highway in Montreal, Canada. The helicopter was engaged in providing highway traffic information to a local television station at the time of the event. The pilot had informed air traffic control that he was conducting an emergency landing on the helipad at Mel Studio. However, the helicopter struck the ground at a high rate of descent approximately 800 feet short of the intended helipad.
Occupants and Damage
The pilot and a passenger suffered serious injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The exact nature of the injuries and damage details have not been released beyond these facts.
Investigation
The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Canada, specifically the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB). The TSB is the authority responsible for determining the circumstances of the accident. As of the source document, no probable cause has been stated.
Context
The helicopter was operating as a traffic-reporting platform for a local TV station at the time of the emergency. The flight originated earlier that morning, and the pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control before attempting to land at the Mel Studio helipad. The crash occurred near the Bonaventure Highway, a major road in Montreal.
Further Information
Additional details regarding this accident may be obtained from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada at their Gloucester, Ontario office.