News release

Today, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report (A22P0111) into a 2022 fatal helicopter collision with terrain near Kitsault, British Columbia (BC).

On the morning of November 9, 2022, an Airbus AS350 B3 helicopter operated by Geotech Aviation Ltd. was conducting an airborne geophysical survey over mountainous terrain. In the afternoon, the destroyed aircraft was located on a heavily forested mountainside and the pilot, who was the sole occupant onboard, was fatally injured. The investigation determined that the pilot had experienced a medical event that likely caused a degree of incapacitation resulting in the collision with terrain.

The aircraft was not equipped with a lightweight data recorder; therefore, the investigation could not establish a detailed sequence of events before or during the occurrence. Lightweight data recorder technology is available for installation in smaller airplanes and helicopters. These systems can be used during investigations to determine what the aircraft was doing, and which actions were taken in the moments leading up to the accident.

In 2018, the Board recommended that Transport Canada (TC) require the mandatory installation of lightweight flight recording systems by commercial and private operators. TC has agreed in principle with the recommendation and continues to work with the aviation industry to address it. However, no regulatory requirements have been issued to date.

See the investigation page for more information.