Collision with terrain
Pilatus PC-12/47E
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Whitehorse, Yukon
The occurrence
On 17 April 2023, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pilatus PC-12/47E aircraft was operating on an instrument flight rules flight from Whitehorse, Yukon, to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, with just the pilot on board. Shortly after departure the pilot advised air traffic control that they had to return for landing at the airport . While manoeuvring for landing, the aircraft collided with terrain within the airport boundary.
The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. There was no post-impact fire.
Media materials
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators following an aircraft accident in Whitehorse, Yukon
Edmonton, Alberta, 18 April 2023 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to Whitehorse, Yukon, to investigate an aircraft accident involving a Pilatus PC 12 registered to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police that occurred on 17 April 2023. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
A23W0040
Collision with terrain
Pilatus PC-12/47E
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Whitehorse, Yukon
Investigator-in-charge
Daryl Collins joined the TSB in 2009 after a 20 year career with the Canadian Armed Forces, having flown as a search and rescue helicopter pilot on the CH146 Griffon, the CH113 Labrador, and the CH149 Cormorant helicopter. In his last position with the Canadian Forces, Mr. Collins was the Commanding Officer of 103 Search and Rescue Squadron based out of Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador.
During his time with the Canadian Forces, Mr. Collins was responsible for the development and implementation of Canadian Forces-wide human performance training for all aircrew, maintenance, and air traffic control personnel and was heavily involved in flight safety. In addition, he obtained a Masters of Aeronautical Science with a dual specialization in Human Factors and System Safety.
Since joining the TSB, Mr. Collins has been actively involved in numerous accident investigations.
Mr. Collins holds an Airline Transport Licence – Helicopter with over 3200 hours of flying experience.
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.