What happened
On the morning of April 7, 2023, a Bell 2-06L helicopter, registered as C-GLQY, departed from the ArcelorMittal facilities in Port-Cartier, Quebec. The aircraft, operated by Canadian Helicopters Limited – Hélicoptères Canadiens Limitée, was performing a northbound visual flight rules (VFR) mission to a company camp located approximately 49 nautical miles northwest of the departure point. The flight was carrying the pilot and three passengers.
As the helicopter approached the area near Vallillee Lake, roughly 38 nautical miles northwest of Port-Cartier, the aircraft encountered snow showers. These weather conditions caused a rapid decline in visibility and a lowering of the cloud ceiling. In response to the worsening conditions, the pilot decreased the aircraft's speed and altitude. While traversing a small lake connected to the northern portion of Vallillee Lake, the pilot experienced a sudden loss of visual references. In an attempt to regain orientation, the pilot executed a right turn toward trees visible on the eastern shore. During this maneuver, the pilot briefly lost visual contact with the terrain again, and the helicopter struck the frozen surface of the lake. The impact caused the aircraft to roll onto its left side, resulting in substantial damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of visual references and the subsequent impact with the frozen lake. Following the crash, the pilot activated the emergency locator transmitter. All four occupants successfully exited the wreckage and were rescued by another company helicopter, subsequently receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Sept-Îles, Quebec.