What happened
A Bell 206B helicopter, registered as C-FIHL, was being flown on a ferry mission from Kitchener, Ontario, to Calgary, Alberta. The crew, consisting of a junior pilot in the right seat and a highly experienced chief pilot acting as an instructor in the left seat, departed Regina, Saskatchewan, under visual flight rules (V-F-R).
During the flight, the crew decided to bypass a planned stop in Swift Current to expedite their arrival in Calgary. While communicating with the Edmonton Flight Information Centre, the crew was notified that weather conditions in the Swift Current control zone were below VFR minimums, with visibility reported at only one-quarter mile. Despite this warning, the crew chose to proceed, later reporting that they had mistaken the forecast for the actual station weather.
As the flight progressed, visibility deteriorated significantly. The chief pilot took control of the aircraft as snow showers intensified. Eventually, the crew encountered whiteout conditions, losing all visual reference to the terrain. Shortly after, the helicopter struck a snow-covered field approximately four nautical miles southwest of the Swift Current Airport. The impact destroyed the aircraft. The junior pilot sustained serious injuries, while the chief pilot escaped with minor injuries.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the decision-making process of the crew and the meteorological conditions encountered. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history and mechanical state, finding no evidence of equipment malfunction or pre-existing faults; the wreckage indicated a high-rpm, power-on impact with the ground.
Investigators also reviewed the pilots' experience and training. While both held valid commercial licenses, neither was instrument rated, meaning they were not authorized to fly in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The investigation also looked into the use of GPS technology, which the crew used for navigation, and how this may have aided their movement into unsafe weather.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the chief pilot's decision to continue a visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which led to a loss of control and subsequent impact with the terrain.
- The decision to proceed was influenced by a mistaken belief that the weather at Swift Current was better than reported, as well as pressure to reach Calgary to avoid additional leasing costs.
- The crew disregarded Canadian Aviation Regulations regarding VFR flight limits.
- The use of GPS assisted the crew in navigating into weather conditions that were beyond the safe operating limits of the aircraft.