What happened
On May 1, 2024, an Aerospatiale AS 350 BA helicopter, operated by Aberdeen Helicopters Ltd., departed from Vernon Airport, British Columbia. The aircraft was conducting a flight under visual flight rules for training purposes, carrying two crew members and one passenger.
During the flight, the crew intentionally deactivated the aircraft's hydraulic systems as part of the training syllabus. Shortly after this procedure, the helicopter began to pitch forward in a nose-down direction. Although the pilots attempted to control the aircraft's attitude, they were unable to prevent the descent, leading to a collision with the ground. The helicopter remained upright following the impact.
The investigation
The TSB is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the impact. The investigation focuses on the sequence of events following the hydraulic shutdown and the subsequent loss of pitch control.