What happened
During a heli-skiing operation near Whistler, British Columbia, a Bell 212 helicopter, registration C-GEEC, was involved in an accident on the Spearhead Glacier. After transporting two groups of skiers, the pilot attempted to pick up a group of 11 skiers near the toe of the glacier.
During the takeoff, the aircraft initially achieved a positive rate of climb while flying into the wind. However, as the pilot turned the helicopter downwind, the aircraft began to settle. In an attempt to avoid a nearby lower ridge, the pilot maneuvered toward a level area, but the helicopter continued to descend despite full power being applied. The aircraft struck the snow in a level attitude, hit a snow drift, and subsequently rolled onto its right side. The impact caused significant damage to the airframe, including a crushed nose and a severed tail boom, though no fire occurred. The pilot and the 11 passengers escaped the wreckage with minor injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's weight, the environmental conditions, and the mechanical state of the helicopter. The gross takeoff weight was 10,250 pounds, which was within the maximum allowable limit. Investigators also reviewed the engine fuel lines, noting they had been upgraded to stainless steel fittings following a previous accident in 1990; these fittings remained intact during this impact.
Environmental analysis focused on the weather conditions at the time of the accident. The area was experiencing a temperature inversion with strong southeast winds gusting between 25 and 30 knots. The investigation specifically looked at the behavior of katabatic winds—localized, downward-flowing winds common on glaciers.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was that the helicopter could not maintain sufficient altitude to clear the surrounding terrain due to the combination of its gross weight, proximity to the glacier, and strong downflowing katabatic winds.
- As the pilot attempted to abort the departure and turn away from the ridge, the aircraft entered a state of settling with power.
- The recent ablation and recession of the glacier toe had made the usual pickup area more difficult to access, leading the pilot to use a different location closer to the glacier's edge.
- The use of enhanced passenger safety briefings and the presence of stainless steel fuel line fittings prevented more serious injuries and avoided a post-crash fire.