What happened
On a day in January 2015, an Eurocopter AS3CO B2 helicopter, registered C-GJPW, was performing aerial work roughly 11 nautical miles southeast of Key Lake Airport in Saskatchewan. During the operation, the aircraft experienced an uncommanded rotation and roll to the left. This maneuver led to a descent that ended in a collision with the ground.
The pilot, who was the only person on board, suffered serious injuries during the impact. Following the crash, the pilot was able to exit the aircraft on their own. The 406 MHz emergency locator transmitter triggered upon impact, allowing search-and-rescue satellites to detect the signal. While the helicopter suffered substantial damage, no fire occurred after the collision.
The investigation
Investigators focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control. The investigation established that the aircraft underwent an uncontrolled leftward roll and rotation prior to hitting the terrain.