What happened
On a recent evening, a Bell 206B helicopter, registered as C-GNPI, departed from Boucher Lake, Quebec, at approximately 20:15 EDT. The aircraft, operated by Héli-Star Inc., was en route to La Tuque Airport with the pilot serving as the sole occupant. Shortly after the departure, the helicopter struck the surface of the water. The impact resulted in minor injuries to the pilot and caused substantial damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and various mechanical components to determine the sequence of events leading to the crash. The investigation confirmed that the pilot was properly certified and qualified for the mission, possessing roughly 4,000 hours of experience on this specific aircraft type. Maintenance records showed the helicopter was equipped and maintained according to all existing regulations.
During the post-crash analysis, investigators found that the engine was still producing power at the moment the aircraft hit the water. While the pilot reported a momentary drop in engine RPM, a detailed examination of the engine components revealed no evidence of power loss. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the condition of the pilot's seat belt shoulder straps, which failed during the impact.
Findings
- The investigation could not establish the cause of the transient decrease in engine RPM reported by the pilot.
- The aircraft's speed, altitude, and attitude prevented the pilot from avoiding the water when the nose was raised.
- The pilot did not attempt a precautionary or autorotation landing, which likely increased the horizontal impact forces during the collision.
- The pilot's shoulder straps failed at a tension level significantly below the required regulatory standard. This failure was due to ultraviolet degradation caused by prolonged sun exposure, which reduced the mechanical strength of the lower straps to approximately 26 percent of their original capacity.
- A lack of specific inspection criteria for evaluating ultraviolet damage to seat belts allowed degraded straps to remain in service.