Air transportation safety investigation A24P0092

Table of contents

    Collision with terrain
    West Coast Helicopters Maintenance and Contracting Ltd.
    Airbus AS350 B2 (helicopter), C-GWCT
    Port Hardy Airport (CYZT), British Columbia, 35 NM SW

    The occurrence

    On 15 August 2024, an Airbus AS350 B2 helicopter, operated by West Coast Helicopters Maintenance and Contracting Ltd., was transporting passengers and equipment from the Port McNeill Airport, British Columbia, to a remote NAV CANADA facility. After disembarking a group of passengers at the site, the aircraft began longline operations with only the pilot on board.

    When the helicopter was reported overdue, a second company helicopter was diverted to begin a search. The wreckage was found in a nearby ravine. The pilot was fatally injured. The TSB is investigating.

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    A24P0092

    Collision with terrain
    West Coast Helicopters Maintenance and Contracting Ltd.
    Airbus AS350 B2 (helicopter), C-GWCT
    Port Hardy Airport (CYZT), British Columbia, 35 NM SW

    Investigator-in-charge

    Image
    Photo of Todd Pezer

    Todd Pezer joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in 2023 as a Senior Regional Investigator – Operations (Air) and works for the Pacific Region in Vancouver, British Columbia.

    He holds a current airline transport pilot’s license and has accumulated over 4000 hours of flight time with experience in training, cargo, airline, and executive aircraft such as the B1900, Lear 75, and Citation X. Prior to joining the TSB, Mr. Pezer gained extensive training experience, earning numerous International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) certifications and a master’s degree in learning and technology. 

      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.