Accident Details
On September 5, 2016, at about 1520 mountain daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter (Canadian registration C-GHHU) impacted terrain during an aerial survey flight after experiencing a power loss. The accident site was located approximately 12 miles southwest of Fox Creek, Alberta, Canada. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Ridge Rotors Inc. It was substantially damaged in the impact.
The flight had originated from Whitecourt Airport in Whitecourt, Alberta, and was scheduled to return to that airport. The three occupants included the pilot, who sustained serious injuries; one passenger, who sustained fatal injuries; and another passenger, who sustained minor injuries.
Investigation
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada is leading the investigation. As the state of manufacturer of the helicopter and its engine, the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has designated a U.S. accredited representative to assist the TSB. All inquiries regarding this accident should be directed to the TSB of Canada at their headquarters: 200 Promenade du Portage, Place du Centre, 4th Floor, Hull, Quebec K1A 1K8, Canada.