What happened
On 14 July 2025, a Bell 206L-3 helicopter, operated by Great Slave Helicopters 2018 Ltd., was performing tree planting support operations near Behchokǫ̀, Northwest Territories. While the pilot was approaching to deliver an external load of saplings, the aircraft's engine noise changed audibly, and the helicopter began rotating around its vertical axis.
During this period, the aircraft suffered an in-flight break-up. A portion of one of the main rotor blades detached from the main rotor hub. This separation led to the further detachment of the main rotor hub, the blade assembly, and the transmission from the helicopter's fuselage. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground in an inverted position. There was no fire reported following the impact.
The investigation
The investigation examined the wreckage and the state of the aircraft's components. Investigators found the long line used for external loads wrapped around the right-hand skid. A piece of the main rotor blade was located 530 feet away from the main fuselage. The aircraft was equipped with STC SH18-69 Van Horn Composite Main Rotor Blades (part number 20633000-101).
Findings
- The pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, sustained fatal injuries.
- The primary cause of the accident was the separation of a section of a main rotor blade from the rotor hub, which triggered the subsequent loss of the rotor assembly and transmission from the fuselage.