History of the Flight
The Gemini Helicopters Inc. Robinson R44 Raven II (registration C-GOCM, serial number 10472) was conducting well-site monitoring southwest of Fox Creek, Alberta. It departed the Horse Facility gas plant camp at 1311 Mountain Standard Time. After several flights, including one with a passenger, the helicopter landed at a roadside security gate at 1510, dropped off the passenger, and departed at 1735 with only the pilot on board. Five minutes later, the helicopter broke up in flight over a wooded area. The pilot was fatally injured. There was no post-crash fire. The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) activated on impact but transmitted no signal due to impact damage.
Earlier in the day, at 1545, the pilot was observed staggering and smelling of alcohol. Despite this, the pilot continued flying, taking an unauthorized passenger to a compressor site, flying low along the Berland River, landing at a remote cabin, and returning to the security gate. The departure at 1735 was erratic.
Aircraft Information
The helicopter, built in 2004, was certified, equipped, and maintained per regulations. It operated within weight and balance limits. A Dart bubble window installation (STC SH05-13) limited never-exceed speed to 100 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS). GPS data showed a ground speed of 127 knots moments before breakup, corresponding to an indicated airspeed of about 126 KIAS. The helicopter had no cockpit voice recorder or flight data recorder, as not required.
Wreckage and Investigation
The in-flight breakup occurred at approximately 820 feet above ground level. The wreckage trail spanned 758 feet, with the first item being a detached main rotor blade. Investigators found no pre-existing airframe or system malfunctions. Weather was suitable for visual flight rules. The pilot made flight control inputs causing the main rotor blade to contact the right side of the cabin, leading to the breakup.
Alcohol Use
The pilot's ethanol level exceeded the legal limit for piloting an aircraft and was over four times the legal driving limit. This caused major impairment of judgment and performance. The pilot had consumed alcohol while piloting, and many actions were inconsistent with regulations and safe practices.
Flight Following
The pilot did not file a flight plan or itinerary. Although the company had satellite tracking (SkyTrac) and flight-following procedures, the flight follower—a new, low-time pilot—was not properly trained and was unaware of the flight. Consequently, the company did not know the helicopter was overdue, delaying response.
Emergency Locator Transmitter
The ELT, an Artex ME406HM, was installed with Velcro retention straps that failed during impact, possibly damaging internal circuitry. The crystal oscillator was damaged, causing transmission on an incorrect frequency. The manufacturer later produced a modified mounting plate with metal straps (TSO-C126b compliant).
Findings
While piloting under the influence of alcohol, the pilot made control inputs that caused the main rotor blade to contact the cabin, precipitating the breakup. Contributing factors included non-adherence to flight-following procedures and ELT failure due to Velcro attachment.
Safety Actions
ACR Electronics developed a modified ELT mounting plate with metal straps. Gemini Helicopters updated its operations manual, flight-following procedures, staffed dedicated flight followers, implemented daily risk assessments, and instituted morning conference calls to authorize flights.