Summary
In accordance with its obligations under Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Annex 13), the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) investigated the circumstances surrounding the accident involving Bell Helicopter Co 204B helicopter, registered C-GEAP, at Bonaparte Lake, British Columbia on 17 August 2003.
The pilot, the sole occupant of the helicopter, was carrying out fire suppression work and had just departed a staging site with an empty underslung water bucket. Shortly after takeoff, the engine ceased operating and, during the attempted autorotation emergency landing, the attached long line entangled a tree. The helicopter impacted the ground within a forest and was destroyed by a post-impact fire. The pilot was fatally injured.
The TSB requested that the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) assist their investigation by sourcing specific information. In accordance Annex 13 Paragraph 5.23, the ATSB appointed an Accredited Representative to the TSB investigation to provide information related to the pilot's qualifications and recent operational history.
On completion of the TSB investigation, the final investigation report will be made available on the TSB web site.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 200305442 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 17/08/2003 |
| Location | Bonaparte Lake, British Columbia |
| State | International |
| Report release date | 14/09/2004 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | External Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Miscellaneous - Other |
| Occurrence class | Other |
| Highest injury level | Fatal |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopter Co |
|---|---|
| Model | 204 |
| Registration | C-GEAP |
| Sector | Helicopter |
| Operation type | Aerial Work |
| Departure point | Bonaparte Lake, British Columbia |
| Destination | Bonaparte Lake, British Columbia |
| Damage | Substantial |