What happened
At approximately 1500 EST, an Aerospatiale AS 350 BA helicopter, registration C-FHBG, was attempting to land at an unprepared site near a lake in the James Bay region of Quebec. The aircraft, operated by a charter service for Mirage Outfitters, was transporting a guide and four hunters. During the approach to the frozen lake surface, the pilot began a descent amidst heavy, powdery snow and white-out conditions. As the helicopter hovered and descended, the rotor wash disturbed the loose snow, creating a "snowball effect" that obscured all external visual references.
As the left skid made contact with the snow-covered ground, the aircraft rolled onto its left side. The impact caused the rotor blades to strike the terrain, resulting in the transmission partially separating from its mounts and the blades penetrating the cockpit. The crash resulted in two fatalities, involving the pilot and the guide. The four passengers in the rear seats, who were not wearing seatbelts, sustained minor injuries; two were thrown from the cabin during the roll.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the environmental conditions and the aircraft's stability during the landing. Investigators examined the terrain, noting a 20-degree slope at the landing site. The weather was characterized by overcast skies and a lack of shadows, which, combined with the snow, eliminated depth perception.
Technical inspections of the Aerospatle AS 350 BA revealed that while the aircraft was maintained according to program, the side windows and left windshield were partially obscured by ice. The investigation also looked into the structural integrity of the cabin, noting that while a service bulletin regarding front seat reinforcement had not been implemented, this was not a factor in the fatalities. Furthermore, the investigation identified that the passengers had not received a safety briefing and were unaware of the location of survival gear or the emergency locator transmitter.