Bell 206B Loss of Control During Low-Speed Flight Near Grande Prairie

Incident Overview and Context On a medical dispatch mission, a pilot and a paramedic flew a Bell 206B helicopter, serial number 1442, to retrieve a worker experiencing anaphylactic shock from a bee sting. The incident occurred at a tree-planting operation located south-west of Grande Prairie, Alberta. The pilot was provided with the coordinates of a yellow bus where the patient was located. Approximately two nautical miles from the target, the pilot identified a yellow bus on a road and descended to about 40 feet above ground level to verify its identity. The helicopter circled the bus at a slow speed of 5 to 10 miles per hour. After completing a third circuit, the pilot determined the bus was incorrect and attempted to climb away. During this maneuver, the helicopter experienced a sudden, uncommanded right yaw. Despite the pilot's application of full left pedal, the aircraft continued to spin. The pilot subsequently lowered the collective and reduced engine power to execute an autorotation landing. The helicopter came to rest upright, sustaining damage to the right skid, main and tail rotor blades, power train, and vertical fin. No injuries were reported to the pilot or passenger.