Occurrence
On 7 April 2023, at approximately 0821 Eastern Daylight Time, a Bell 206L helicopter, registration C-GLQY and serial number 45146, operated by Canadian Helicopters Limited – Hélicoptères Canadiens Limitée, departed from ArcelorMittal’s facilities in Port-Cartier, Quebec. The helicopter was carrying the pilot and three passengers under visual flight rules, en route to the company’s Fox camp located 49 nautical miles northwest of Port-Cartier along the railway.
While in the vicinity of Vallillee Lake, Quebec, approximately 38 nautical miles northwest of Port-Cartier, snow showers began, causing a rapid deterioration in visibility and a lowering of the cloud ceiling. The pilot responded by reducing speed and altitude. While flying over a small lake connected to the northern part of Vallillee Lake, the pilot suddenly lost forward visual references. He initiated a right turn, during which he briefly lost his visual references again. He regained them just before the helicopter struck the lake’s frozen surface. The impact caused the helicopter to roll onto its left side, resulting in substantial damage.
Damage and Rescue
The helicopter sustained substantial damage. All four occupants were able to extricate themselves from the wreckage. The pilot activated the emergency locator transmitter. Shortly thereafter, another company helicopter arrived and rescued the occupants, transporting them to the hospital in Sept-Îles, Quebec.