Collision with water
Privately registered
Airbus AS350 B2 (helicopter), C-GGLM
D’Elvert Lake, Réserve faunique La Vérendrye (Quebec)
The occurrence
On 18 August 2024, a privately registered Airbus AS350 B2 helicopter was conducting a visual flight rules flight from a private property in Mirabel (Quebec) to Launay (Quebec) with 1 pilot and 2 passengers on board.
Once the refuelling was done at Mont-Laurier Aerodrome (Quebec), the pilot departed and continued northward following Route 117. Since the weather conditions in the northern area of Mont-Laurier were unfavourable, the pilot landed in the La Vérendrye Park wildlife reserve before resuming his flight northward.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre was notified in the evening that the helicopter was reported missing. The helicopter was found the next morning submerged in D’Elvert Lake near Route 117. All occupants were fatally injured. The TSB is investigating.
Media materials
Investigation information
A24Q0104
Collision with water
Privately registered
Airbus AS350 B2 (helicopter), C-GGLM
D’Elvert Lake, Réserve faunique La Vérendrye (Quebec)
Investigator-in-charge
Kristina Schoos has more than 15 years’ experience as a helicopter pilot with various 702 and 703 operators, during which she has accumulated more than 6000 hours’ flying time across the country on 6 different types of helicopters, including the Bell 206 and Aerospatiale AS350. In the course of her career, she has been responsible for flight and ground training and has worked as assistant chief-pilot. Ms. Schoos also holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
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
- 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.