What happened
On the evening of 08 September 2015, an Robinson R44 helicopter, registered C-GZFX, was performing a flight from a camp at Horwood Lake, Ontario, toward the Foleylt Timber Camp. The aircraft, operated by Apex Helicopters Inc., was carrying one pilot and one passenger at the time of the accident.
While flying approximately 3.1 nautical miles northwest of the Foleyet Timber Camp, the helicopter collided with trees located on elevated terrain. The impact forces were severe enough to destroy the aircraft. There was no fire reported following the crash. The two occupants sustained fatal injuries.
Although the aircraft was equipped with an emergency locator transmitter, the device failed to transmit or alert search and rescue agencies. The aircraft was not reported missing until approximately 1500 the following day, prompting the launch of search and rescue operations. The wreckage was eventually located by another company aircraft on 11 September.
The investigation
The TSB investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the collision with trees and the failure of the emergency locator transmitter to alert authorities. Investigators examined the wreckage and the circumstances surrounding the flight path and the delay in reporting the aircraft missing.