What happened
On 28 June 2021, a Bell Textron Inc. model 212 helicopter, registered as C-GYHQ, was performing duties in support of forest fire suppression efforts. The aircraft, operated by Yellowhead Helicopters Ltd., was flying approximately 4 nautical miles west-northwest of Evansburg, Alberta.
At roughly 1800 Mountain Daylight Time, the helicopter departed a staging area to execute a series of three shuttle flights intended to transport groups of firefighters. While the first two missions were completed without incident, a catastrophic failure occurred during the final trip. As the aircraft approached the landing zone to collect the remaining crew, a main rotor blade detached from the rotor head assembly. This failure caused the remaining rotor blade and the rotor head itself to break away from the airframe, leading to the subsequent crash of the helicopter.
The pilot, who was the only person on board, sustained fatal injuries. A fire broke out following the impact, which completely destroyed the aircraft. Notably, the 406 MHz emergency locator transmitter failed to send a signal.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the rotor system during the final flight leg. Investigators examined the separation of the main rotor blade from the rotor head assembly and the subsequent loss of structural integrity in the rotor system that led to the aircraft's descent.