What happened
On the afternoon of 07 December 2005, a MBB BO105 helicopter, registration C-GGGC, crashed into the waters of Mortier Bay, east of Marystown, Newfoundland and Labrador. The aircraft, operated by the Transport Canada Aircraft Services Directorate, was performing coastal navigation maintenance tasks. While returning to Marystown from Go By Point, the crew encountered deteriorating weather characterized by heavy snow showers.
As the helicopter attempted to navigate the northern perimeter of the bay to avoid worsening conditions, the pilot likely became disoriented due to reduced visibility, darkness, and turbulence. During a rapid flare to slow the aircraft, the tail struck the water heavily, causing the tail to break off and the helicopter to lose control. While both the pilot and passenger escaped the initial impact, the passenger subsequently drowned, and the pilot died from hyporexia/hypothermia.
The investigation
Investigators found no mechanical failures within the aircraft itself. Instead, the focus shifted to environmental factors and organizational safety standards. The investigation established that the pilot faced an increased workload due to the need to maintain visual references in heavy snow, which may have led to the omission of critical anti-ice and engine settings.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the survival equipment, including the liferaft and emergency locator transmitters, became unavailable or non-functional after the impact. The liferaft was pinned against a seat by a failed mounting bracket, and the underwater locator beacon failed to transmit a signal, delaying the start of search and rescue efforts by one hour. The investigation also noted that the occupants were not wearing immersion suits or lifejackets, and had not received specialized water survival training.
Findings
- The pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation while attempting to navigate through heavy snow.
- The aircraft lost control after the tail rotor assembly struck the water during a rapid deceleration.
- The lack of sufficient personal survival equipment, specifically immersion suits and lifejackets, significantly reduced the occupants' chances of surviving the cold water.
- The liferaft mounting bracket failed during the impact, rendering the raft inaccessible.
- Organizational shortcomings within the operator were evident, including the failure to address previously identified head-strike hazards and the lack of mandatory survival training for the crew.