Occurrence
At 0911 Pacific Daylight Time on 24 October 2023, a Helijet International Inc. Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopter, registration C-GXHJ, serial number 760774, departed Vancouver Harbour Heliport (CBC7), British Columbia, on an instrument flight rules flight to Victoria Harbour (Camel Point) Heliport (CBF7), British Columbia. The helicopter carried 2 flight crew members and 12 passengers.
During cruise flight at 4000 feet above sea level, the helicopter was struck by lightning and entered an uncontrolled rapid descent. Following a loss of 3144 feet, the captain re-established straight and level flight. The flight crew continued the flight to CBF7 and landed without further incident.
The helicopter was substantially damaged. There were no reported injuries.