Occurrence
On 21 April 2024, an Aerospatiale AS-350 BA helicopter, operated by Heli Explore Inc., departed from Attawapiskat Airport, Ontario. The flight proceeded to a remote camp located on Akimiski Island, Nunavut, where it landed in a nearby open area.
After landing, the helicopter's engine was left running while a passenger disembarked. The passenger then began unloading the helicopter with another person from the camp. During this activity, the passenger walked into the tail rotor and sustained fatal injuries. The impact caused the tail rotor and tail rotor gearbox to separate from the helicopter.
The occurrence remains under investigation as a Class 4 investigation by the transportation safety authority. Class 4 investigations are limited in scope and do not contain findings or recommendations.