What happened
On 17 August 2020, an Aérospatiale AStar AS350-B2, operated by Aberdeen Helicopters, was performing long lining operations at a mountain-based drill site located approximately 45 nm northwest of Stewart, British Columbia. During the initial lift-off phase of the operation, the pilot elected to set the cargo back down on the ground in response to approaching inclement weather. Once the load had been disconnected from the aircraft, the pilot attempted to depart the site for a designated staging area.
Following the departure, the pilot could not be reached via radio communications. A subsequent search operation located the aircraft approximately 1200 metres west of the original drill pad on the mountainside. The impact with the terrain resulted in the destruction of the helicopter, which was largely destroyed by a post-impact fire. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident.
The investigation
As a Class 4 investigation, the scope of the inquiry was limited. The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the aircraft's impact with the terrain and the subsequent fire.