What happened
During a mission supporting forest fire suppression, a Bell 205 A-1 helicopter departed from a temporary heliport near Leaf Rapids, Manitoba. The aircraft was carrying a Natural Resources Officer and six fire-fighters to a location northeast of the town. As the flight progressed, the pilot encountered deteriorating visibility due to heavy smoke, which was reported at approximately three-quarters of a mile at takeoff.
While crossing the Churchill River, the pilot attempted a right turn to avoid areas of even lower visibility and return to the heliport. During this maneuver, the aircraft lost all visual references to the horizon. The helicopter began a descent of 200 feet per minute, and the main rotor blades struck the water surface. The impact caused the aircraft to break apart and sink in the river.
While the pilot and four passengers managed to exit the wreckage and were rescued, three passengers died. These individuals had sustained head injuries during the impact that rendered them unable to release their safety harnesses, leading to their subsequent drowning.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the pilot's credentials. The engine and mechanical systems showed no evidence of malfunction prior to the crash. The aircraft was certified for flight in visual meteorological conditions, but the pilot did not hold an instrument rating and had not maintained instrument currency for 15 years.
Environmental factors were also scrutinized. The smoke from regional forest fires had obscured the sky, and the calm, flat surface of the river created a mirror-like effect that eliminated a visible horizon. The investigation also looked into the safety equipment used, noting that while the pilot wore a helmet, the passengers were only wearing lap belts.
Findings
- The pilot lost the necessary visual cues for flight while performing a turn to avoid smoke-obscured areas.
- The helicopter entered a descent and struck the water before the pilot could re-establish visual reference.
- The loss of visual reference was the primary cause of the accident.
- The lack of protective headgear and shoulder harnesses for passengers likely contributed to the fatal head injuries sustained during the impact.
- There were no local aviation weather briefing facilities available to the pilot at the time of departure.