Collision with terrain
Government of Canada, Canadian Coast Guard
CTG444 Bell 429 (C-GCQS)
Puvirnituq Airport, Quebec, 2 NM SSW
The occurrence
On 1 September 2022, a Bell 429 helicopter operated by the Canadian Coast Guard was on a local visual flight rules flight from Puvirnituq Airport, Quebec, with the pilot being the sole occupant on board. The aircraft was equipped with a longline and was making an approach to hook a load. While almost stationary over the load, the aircraft began to turn on itself. The controls became unresponsive and the pilot made an emergency landing. The aircraft rolled over on the ground and came to rest on its side. There were no injuries. The TSB is investigating.
Media materials
Deployment notice
TSB is deploying a team of investigators following a helicopter accident near Puvirnituq, Quebec
Dorval, Quebec, 2 September 2022 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators following a Transport Canada helicopter accident that occurred yesterday near Puvirnituq, Quebec. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
A22Q0107
Collision with terrain
Government of Canada, Canadian Coast Guard
CTG444 Bell 429 (C-GCQS)
Puvirnituq Airport, Quebec, 2 NM SSW
Investigator-in-charge
Mario Boulet has over 30 years of civil aviation experience. He joined the TSB in 2015 and is now a Regional Senior Investigator based out of Dorval, Quebec.
Before joining the TSB, Mr. Boulet worked during 8 years for Transport Canada as a civil aviation safety inspector after a career in the private sector for various approved maintenance organizations, aircraft manufacturers and airlines where he occupied positions from aircraft maintenance engineer to Person Responsible for Maintenance (PRM), including Minister Delegate for a major aircraft manufacturer.
Since 2006, Mr. Boulet also became an expert in the manufacturing and operation of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
Mr. Boulet holds an aircraft maintenance engineer license from Transport Canada and a private pilot license.
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.