Air transportation safety investigation A23P0136

Table of contents

    Lightning strike
    Helijet International Inc.
    Sikorsky S-76C++, C-GXHJ
    Vancouver, British Columbia

    The occurrence

    On , a Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopter operated by Helijet International Inc. was conducting a flight from Vancouver Harbour Heliport, British Columbia (BC), to Victoria Harbour Heliport, BC, with 2 flight crew members and 12 passengers on board. During cruise flight, the aircraft was struck by lightning and entered an uncontrolled descent. The pilot-in-command regained control of the aircraft after losing approximately 2900 vertical feet. The aircraft continued the flight to Victoria and landed without incident. There were no reported injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged.

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    A23P0136

    Lightning strike
    Helijet International Inc.
    Sikorsky S-76C++, C-GXHJ
    Vancouver, British Columbia

    Investigator-in-charge

    Image
    Photo of Ryan Libech

    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.

    Photos

    Image
    Damaged horizontal stabilizer and tail rotor (Source: Third party with permission)

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    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

    1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.