What happened
On 12 November 2009, a privately owned Robinson R44 II helicopter, registration C-GJMP, was conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) flight from Baie-Trinité toward Baie-Comeau, Quebec. After transporting a passenger to a work site, the pilot began the return leg with two additional passengers on board.
While navigating the Franquelin River valley at a low altitude, the aircraft encountered power lines spanning the river. The pilot attempted evasive maneuvers immediately before the aircraft struck a lightning protection ground wire. The impact broke the wire and caused the helicopter to lose significant airspeed and undergo a sudden change in altitude. The aircraft subsequently struck a second ground wire and descended into a sand bank on the river's edge. The collision resulted in one fatality and two serious injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and flight data, noting that the impact with the wire caused significant damage to the control tubes for the collective and cyclic, likely limiting the pilot's ability to control the aircraft during its final descent. The investigation also looked into the visibility conditions, noting that the sun's position likely created glare on the windscreen, obscuring the unmarked wires.
Technical analysis of the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) revealed that a programmable dongle had not been properly configured with the correct aircraft information. Furthermore, the antenna cable was severed during the crash, which attenuated the distress signal.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating at a low altitude, which increased the risk of encountering obstacles.
- The pilot struck the ground wire, which likely rendered the helicopter partially uncontrollable.
- Glare from the sun likely hindered the pilot's ability to detect the unmarked power lines.
- The lack of proper programming on the ELT dongle and the severed antenna cable posed risks to the effectiveness of the emergency signal.