TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 25 September 2024.
Collision with terrain
Geotech Aviation Ltd.
Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3, C-FVCR
Kitsault, British Columbia, 2 NM SSW
The occurrence
At 0911 Pacific Standard Time on 09 November 2022, the Geotech Aviation Ltd. Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3 helicopter (registration C-FVCR, serial number 4434) departed from a staging area at Kitsault, British Columbia, for a visual flight rules flight with only the pilot on board to conduct an airborne geophysical survey over mountainous terrain. The helicopter flew to the survey area that was located approximately 12 nautical miles south-southwest of the staging area. Following approximately 1.5 hours of flying and 6 low-level survey passes, the pilot reported feeling unwell and stated that he was returning to the staging area earlier than scheduled. The helicopter did not arrive at the staging area, and an emergency locator transmitter signal was received by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria, British Columbia at 1118.
The occurrence helicopter was located by a search and rescue aircraft 2 nautical miles south-southwest of the staging area, on a heavily forested mountainside. The pilot received fatal injuries. The occurrence helicopter was destroyed.
Media materials
Investigation information
A22P0111
Collision with terrain
Geotech Aviation Ltd.
Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3, C-FVCR
Kitsault, British Columbia, 2 NM SSW
Investigator-in-charge
Ryan Libech joined the TSB’s Air Investigations Branch in 2020 after having spent 18 years in private sector helicopter maintenance and production management, notably working on BK117, Airbus EC120/130, Bell 206/407, and Agusta A109 helicopters, in emergency medical service, private and utility environments. He was also a maintenance lead for international helicopter deployment in the Middle East, and worked periodically as an instructor for professional maintenance training. The majority of his expertise is in aircraft maintenance and operations. Mr. Libech has a diploma in aircraft maintenance engineers technology from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary, Alberta.
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.