What happened
On July 16, 2005, a Bell 205 A-1 helicopter, registered C-GADA, was performing forest fire suppression duties near Solitude Lake, Quebec. The aircraft, operated by Héli-Express Inc., was conducting a hover taxi from a fuel cache site while transporting an empty water bucket on a 100-foot longline.
During the transition to a hover, the pilot experienced a sudden vibration and a loud bang, which felt like a loss of engine power. The helicopter lost altitude and pitched nose-down and to the right before impacting the water. The pilot and loadmaster managed to exit the sinking aircraft and were rescued by nearby firefighters. The pilot sustained a broken back, while the loadmaster suffered minor injuries. The helicopter was substantially damaged and subsequently sank.
The investigation
Investigators examined the engine and fuel control unit, finding no mechanical defects that caused a loss of power. While the engine contained unauthorized parts and unbent compressor blade locking tabs, these issues did not affect engine performance during the flight. Evidence of melted metal in the combustion chamber suggested the engine was still producing power at the moment of impact.
Technical analysis suggested that because the aircraft was approximately 1000 feet from the shore, the pilot lacked sufficient visual references to judge altitude and speed. It is believed the water bucket likely struck the water surface during the hover taxi, creating an anchor effect.
Additionally, the investigation noted that the crew was not wearing lifejackets, as required by company policy, and the pilot was not wearing a shoulder harness, which likely increased the severity of his spinal injury.