Air transportation safety investigation A23C0048
The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 5 March 2024.
Table of contents
Collision with terrain
Custom Helicopters Ltd.
Bell 206L (helicopter), C-FQHB
Grise Fiord, Nunavut, 52 NM S (Devon Island)
The occurrence
On , a Bell Helicopter 206L-1 operated by Custom Helicopters Ltd. departed from Truelove Inlet, Nunavut, for Devon Island, Nunavut, with one pilot and two passengers on board. During the flight, the pilot lost visual reference and collided with the ice- and snow-covered terrain.
The passengers and pilot sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital. The helicopter was destroyed.
Media materials
News release
Investigation report: Collision with terrain involving a helicopter in Nunavut
Read the news release
Investigation information
Map showing the location of the occurrence
Investigator-in-charge
Mike Sharpe joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada- Air Branch- Central Region (Winnipeg) in 2022 as Regional Senior Investigator- Technical. Mr. Sharpe holds an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer license and is a Commercial Pilot with multiple ratings. Mr. Sharpe began flying in 1986 when he was 17 years old, towing gliders to build hours. He has since piloted twenty-six types, including restoring and flying his own vintage airplane. Mr. Sharpe was an Instructor and Human Factors Trainer in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Technology programs, a mentor to over nine hundred students. In previous roles as an AME, Mr. Sharpe conducted maintenance, overhauls, repairs, and safety inspections on a wide range of fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
Class of investigation
This is a class 4 investigation. These investigations are limited in scope, and while the final reports may contain limited analysis, they do not contain findings or recommendations. Class 4 investigations are generally completed within 220 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.