What happened
On 5 September 2016, a Bell 206B helicopter, operated by Ridge Rotors Inc., was performing a wildlife survey mission. The flight had departed from Whitecourt, Alberta. During the course of the operation, the aircraft suffered a loss of engine power. This mechanical failure caused the helicopter to strike trees before ultimately impacting the ground. The impact resulted in one fatality and two injuries, with the pilot sustaining serious harm and one passenger suffering minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by substantial damage.
The investigation
Investigators focused on the circumstances leading to the loss of power during the survey flight. The investigation established that the engine failure was a direct consequence of the aircraft operating with insufficient fuel levels.