What happened
On the morning of October 3, 2007, at approximately 1000 Atlantic daylight time, a Bell 2-06L (registration C-GCHA) was departing a fuel-staging area south of Postville, Newfoundland and Labrador. Simultaneously, a Universal Helicopters Newfoundland Ltd. Eurocopter AS 350 BA Astar (registration C-FHHH) was on final approach to the same location to deposit a sling load.
As the Bell 206L lifted off, the pilot initiated an immediate left climbing turn. During this maneuver, one of the Bell 206L's main rotor blades struck the 90-foot steel longline attached to the C-FHHH. The impact caused the Bell 206L to break up in flight, crashing into the waters of Kaipokok Bay near the shoreline. The pilot of the C-GCHA was fatally injured, and the aircraft was destroyed by a post-impact fire. The pilot of the C-FHHH maintained control of the aircraft and landed safely at the Postville airport without injury, though the AS 350 BA Astar sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the operational procedures, radio communications, and cockpit visibility of both aircraft. The fuel-staging area used by both companies was located within the airport traffic zone of Postville, which operates in Class G uncontrolled airspace.
Investigators found that the C-FHHH pilot had made position reports earlier in the flight, but the C-GCHA pilot did not broadcast an intention to take off. The investigation also noted that the C-GCHA pilot's view of traffic approaching from the left and rear was limited by the aircraft's cockpit structure. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the maintenance records of both aircraft, finding that all mandatory airworthiness directives and required maintenance had been completed for both the Bell 206L and the AS 350 BA Astar.
Findings
- The Bell 206L pilot did not broadcast an intention to depart, leaving the C-FHHH pilot unaware of the impending takeoff.
- The Bell 206L pilot did not perform a left hover turn prior to departure, a safety check that would have allowed him to see the approaching C-FHHH and its sling load.
- The C-FHHH pilot did not broadcast his position during the final stages of his approach.
- It is likely the C-GCHA pilot had not yet powered the radios or donned his headset, preventing him from hearing the C-FHHH's earlier position reports.
- The C-FHHH pilot's attention was focused on the sling load during the final approach, which prevented him from seeing the C-GCHA until the collision was imminent.
- The lack of a departure broadcast and the failure to perform a visual safety check prior to takeoff were primary contributing factors to the collision.
Safety action
- A new fuel-staging area has been prepared to separate traffic.
- Universal Helicopters briefed its crews to increase the frequency of position reports, specifically calling out short final and before departure.