What happened
On 15 August 2024, an Airbus AS350 B2 helicopter, operated by West Coast Helicopters Maintenance and Contracting Ltd., was conducting a flight from Port McNeill Airport, British Columbia, to a remote facility managed by Natural Resources Canada. The mission involved transporting both equipment and passengers to the site.
After the aircraft arrived at the destination and the passengers had disembarked, the pilot remained on board to perform longline operations. Following the period of flight, the aircraft was reported overdue. A search was initiated using a second helicopter from the same company, which eventually located the wreckage in a nearby ravine. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident.
The investigation
The TSB conducted a Class 4 investigation into the crash. This type of investigation is limited in scope and focuses on the immediate circumstances of the occurrence.