TSB Releases Investigation Report Of 2019 Campbell River Helicopter Crash

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has released its investigation report into the September 2019 crash of a helicopter in Campbell River.

On Sept. 24, 2019, an E & B Helicopter Ltd. Bell 206B helicopter took off from the Campbell River Heliport bound for Moat Lake near Mt. Albert Edward.

Shortly after departure, flying southeast along the coastline, the helicopter levelled off at 615 feet above sea level, and began to descend.

After it reached 417 feet, it began a right-hand climbing turn towards land, before descending again.

During that descent, control was lost, causing the helicopter to fall to the ground from about 200 feet.

It struck a building and two vehicles, destroying the helicopter and causing a fire.

The pilot, who was the company’s owner, accountable executive, and operations manager, and the only person on board, was fatally injured.

Investigators found that there was an engine power anomaly, which caused the pilot to reverse course and descend in autorotation, a method for pilots to descend safely even if their engine loses power.

However, at some point during the flight the main rotors were deformed, likely slowing them to the point where autorotation was impossible, which caused the helicopter to drop.

Investigators also noted the engine fuel system did not have the appropriate accumulators and double check valve for installation on a Bell 206 helicopter.

“During the installation of the engine, the company maintenance control system was ineffective at ensuring that the engine installation complied with the manufacturer’s recommendations,” the 51-page report says. “If maintenance procedures do not include a thorough review of all related instructions and bulletins, there is a risk that an aircraft will be released into service in a non-airworthy configuration.”

The TSB also identified conditions and risks that did not directly affect the accident but could have adverse consequences in the future.

As part of that, investigators looked into the company’s safety culture.

The report says several opportunities to improve safety had been missed, and that “if company management routinely deviates from regulatory requirements, there is an increased risk that an unsupportive safety culture will develop, affecting the entire organization.”