What happened
Two skid-equipped Bell 206L-3 helicopters departed Niagara Falls, Ontario, as a formation to fly to Mirabel, Quebec. The flight included stops in Toronto and Kingston for passengers and refueling. During the journey, meteorological conditions worsened, characterized by rain, haze, and low ceilings.
While navigating near Saint-Eulstache, Quebec, the formation followed a highway at low altitudes. The lead aircraft maneuvered through a series of electrical transmission lines. The second aircraft, C-FLYO, maintained its position by using the lead helicopter as a visual reference while hovering above the first set of cables. During this hover, the pilot began to lose altitude and drift. Upon realizing the aircraft was approaching the wires, the pilot executed a sudden maneuver to avoid a collision and attempted to land. The helicopter touched down sideways, bounced, and struck a metal road sign before rolling onto its right side near a highway crowded with rush-hour traffic. The pilot sustained minor injuries, while the passenger was uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight's compliance with aviation regulations regarding altitude and visibility. It was noted that the formation leader was also the company owner, chief of operations, and chief pilot. Investigators looked into the decision-making process regarding the flight's continuation despite forecasts indicating adverse weather and the need for low-altitude flight over populated areas. The investigation also analyzed the pilot's ability to maintain situational awareness while using a moving aircraft as a primary visual reference during a hover.