What happened
On a flight from Dorval Airport to Lac Kempt, Quebec, a Bell 206L-1 helicopter, registration C-GLBH, encountered deteriorating weather conditions near Saint-Michel-des-Saints. After picking up passengers in Laval, the pilot began a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country trip. While navigating through light snow showers, the pilot disengaged the automatic pilot to prepare for potential altitude or speed adjustments.
As the aircraft entered moderate snow showers, visibility dropped to nil, creating whiteout conditions. Without ground visual references, the pilot attempted a right turn to regain orientation but became disoriented. During this period, the pilot noticed a descent on the flight attitude indicator and attempted to level the aircraft. However, the aircraft struck the ground at a high rate of descent in a forested, mountainous area. The impact resulted in two fatalities and two serious injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance, the pilot's qualifications, and the environmental conditions. The Bell 206L-1 was found to be properly maintained, and the pilot was fully qualified for the flight, though not instrument-rated. Investigators also analyzed the impact dynamics, noting that the cabin underwent significant distortion due to the weight of the rotor components and the vertical speed at impact. This compression of the rear cabin space contributed to the severity of the injuries sustained by the rear passengers.
Furthermore, the investigation looked into the failure of the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) to alert satellites. It was determined that the antenna broke and was buried under snow during the crash, limiting the signal's range to nearby aircraft only. The pilot eventually used cellular phones to contact emergency services, though the process was hampered by dying phone batteries.
Findings
- The pilot encountered whiteout conditions which eliminated all ground visual references.
- The loss of visual cues led to spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of aircraft control.
- The aircraft struck the terrain at a high rate of descent.
- The lack of shoulder harnesses in the front seats likely contributed to the injuries of the pilot and the front passenger.
- Significant elastic distortion of the rear cabin during impact contributed to the serious injuries of the rear occupants.