Collision with terrain
Valhalla Helicopters Inc.
Bell B205A-1 (helicopter)
Haig Lake, Alberta
The occurrence
On , a Valhalla Helicopters Inc. Bell 205A-1 helicopter was operating in support of forest fire fighting activities in the vicinity of Haig Lake, Alberta, 55 nautical miles northeast of Peace River Airport, Alberta. Shortly after departure to commence bucketing operations, the helicopter collided with terrain.
The pilot, who was the sole occupant on board was fatally injured.
The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) activated. The helicopter was substantially damaged, and there was no post-impact fire. The TSB is currently investigating.
Media materials
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team following a helicopter accident near Peace River, Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, 20 July 2023 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators following an accident involving a Bell 205A helicopter during firefighting operations near Peace River, Alberta. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
A23W0082
Collision with terrain
Valhalla Helicopters Inc.
Bell B205A-1 (helicopter)
Haig Lake, Alberta
Investigator-in-charge
Eli Pasquali joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada in 2023 as a Regional Senior Investigator – Operations, for the Western Region and works in Edmonton, Alberta. He holds a current airline transport pilot’s license and has accumulated over 8000 hours of flight time on a variety of aircraft types, such as the Cessna Caravan, Dehavilland Beaver, Otter and Twin Otter, King Air 200/350, and Dornier 228. Prior to joining the TSB, Mr. Pasquali worked for over 15 years in civil aviation including experience as a training pilot, check pilot and test pilot. Mr. Pasquali has extensive experience float flying, bush flying and medevac flying both in Canada and internationally.
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.