Occurrence
On 20 June 2024, a Eurocopter AS350 B2 helicopter, operated by Heli Explore Inc., was conducting long lining operations in support of exploratory drilling at a mine site located west of the Wawa Airport, Ontario. During the second lift of the day, while flying at about 300 feet above ground level, the pilot began a gradual descent and shortly thereafter felt a strong jolt that affected the helicopter's attitude. The pilot then attempted to regain control of the aircraft, but after a subsequent and more severe jolt, he released the slung load, which fell into a wooded area.
Loss of Control and Emergency Landing
The helicopter then began to yaw to the left. The pilot attempted to correct this situation but was unsuccessful. He then tried to gain some forward speed to reduce the yaw but did not have enough remaining altitude to complete the maneuver and decided to make an emergency landing in a wooded area. During the emergency landing, the main rotor blades struck trees, and the helicopter was destroyed, coming to rest on the lower right side of the fuselage.
Post-Impact Events
The emergency locator transmitter activated. The pilot was able to exit the helicopter on his own and use his satellite phone to contact the helicopter's owner and relay his coordinates. Personnel waiting to receive the slung load heard the impact, and made their way to the scene to assist, arriving about an hour after the accident. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre received the signal and dispatched a search and rescue helicopter to transport the pilot to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating.