Occurrence
On 20 June 2025, an MBB-BK117 B-2 helicopter, operated by Airmédic Inc., was conducting a night visual flight rules medical evacuation flight from Havre-Saint-Pierre Airport (CYGV), Quebec. The aircraft carried two crew members and two medical personnel. The flight aimed to pick up a person from an outfitter on Watshishou Lake, Quebec, approximately 47 nautical miles from the airport, for transport to a hospital.
After arriving at the outfitter and embarking the person to be evacuated, the helicopter took off. Shortly after departure, the helicopter struck the surface of Watshishou Lake and sank. One of the five occupants was able to extricate himself from the submerged aircraft and swim to the nearest shore. A witness who observed the accident retrieved the survivor by boat and brought him to the outfitter.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre was notified, and a search team was dispatched to the scene. The helicopter was located in the lake late in the day on 23 June 2025. The other four occupants were fatally injured.
Investigation
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is conducting a class 3 investigation into the occurrence. Class 3 investigations analyze a small number of safety issues and may result in recommendations. The investigation is ongoing.