What happened
On 8 October 2021, a Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopter, registered as C-GSYN, was engaged in airborne geophysical survey operations near Chapais, Quebec. The aircraft, operated by Synergy Aviation Ltd., departed from a staging area located 12 nautical miles west of the Chibouchengau/Chapais Airport (CYMT) at approximately 10:30 EDT.
While flying at a low altitude toward Wachigabau Lake, the helicopter struck the water's surface. The impact caused the aircraft to overturn and begin sinking. The pilot, who was the only person on board, suffered serious injuries during the collision. Despite the injuries, the pilot managed to exit the submerged aircraft and swim to the shoreline.
The investigation
Following the event, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton, Ontario, was notified by the company's operations manager at 14:02 EDT. Although the aircraft was equipped with an emergency locator transmitter, the Cospas-Sarsat system did not capture a distress signal from the device. The pilot was eventually located and rescued by a Canadian Armed Forces helicopter at 16:41 EDT and transported to a hospital in Chibougamau.
Findings
- The accident involved an undetected descent while the aircraft was operating at low altitude over the lake.