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Bell 206B Helicopter Crash Near Grande Prairie, Alberta

Gordondale, Alberta 8 nm SW, CA

On October 20, 1997, a Bell 206B II (Helicopter) C-GWXJ operated by Yellowhead Helicopters Limited was involved in an aviation accident near Gordondale, Alberta 8 nm SW, CA. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the loss of control of the helicopter that led to a steep right-bank and nose-down descent to the ground could not be determined. This summary draws on records from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).

Sourcesthe Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB)Primary reportUpdated 2026-10-18Data APIEditorial standards

A Bell 206B helicopter crashed near Grande Prairie, Alberta, killing the pilot and two forestry officers. The cause of the loss of control could not be determined, though the pilot had advanced coronary artery disease.

Incident Overview and Search Operations On the afternoon of the occurrence, a Bell 206B helicopter, serial number 1791, was chartered by the Alberta Department of Environmental Protection, Lands and Forests division for aerial timber management inspections. The helicopter reported airborne from Grande Prairie at 1338 Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) and was scheduled to inspect areas northwest of the city. No further radio contact was established after the initial report. Beginning at 1455, multiple attempts to reach the aircraft failed. A local search helicopter carrying three forestry officers was dispatched at 1545 and spotted the missing aircraft at 1700. A second helicopter, carrying a forestry officer and two paramedics, was also sent as a precautionary measure for potential medical aid. The crash site was located approximately 52 miles northwest of Grande Prairie, near the cut blocks being inspected. The helicopter descended into the trees in a steep right-bank and steep nose-down attitude, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft by impact and a subsequent post-impact fire. The pilot and two forestry officers sustained fatal injuries.

Probable cause

The cause of the loss of control of the helicopter that led to a steep right-bank and nose-down descent to the ground could not be determined.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 20 Oct 1997 Bell 206B II (Helicopter) C-GWXJ accident near Gordondale, Alberta 8 nm SW, CA?

A Bell 206B helicopter crashed near Grande Prairie, Alberta, killing the pilot and two forestry officers. The cause of the loss of control could not be determined, though the pilot had advanced coronary artery disease.

Were there any fatalities in the 20 Oct 1997 Bell 206B II (Helicopter) C-GWXJ accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 20 Oct 1997 involved a Bell 206B II (Helicopter) C-GWXJ, operated by Yellowhead Helicopters Limited, at Gordondale, Alberta 8 nm SW, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The cause of the loss of control of the helicopter that led to a steep right-bank and nose-down descent to the ground could not be determined.

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