Air transportation safety investigation A21C0038

Table of contents

    Collision with terrain
    Great Slave Helicopters
    Airbus Helicopters AS350-B2 (C-FYDA)
    Griffith Island, Nunavut

    The occurrence

    On , a Great Slave Helicopters Airbus Helicopters AS350-B2 departed a remote camp on a day VFR flight to Resolute Bay, Nunavut, located approximately 85 nautical miles to the northeast. On board was the pilot and 2 passengers. While flying over Griffith Island, the helicopter impacted the snow-covered surface. The aircraft was destroyed and there were no survivors. A post-crash fire consumed much of the fuselage area. The emergency locator transmitter did not transit a signal to the search and rescue satellites. The TSB is investigating.

    Media materials

    Deployment notice

    2021-04-29

    TSB deploys a team following a fatal helicopter accident near Resolute Bay, Nunavut

    Richmond Hill, Ontario, 29 April 2021 - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators following a fatal accident involving an Airbus Helicopter AS 350 B2 that occurred on 25 April, near Resolute Bay, Nunavut. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    A21C0038

    Collision with terrain
    Great Slave Helicopters
    Airbus Helicopters AS350-B2 (C-FYDA)
    Griffith Island, Nunavut

    Photos

    Image
    A21C0038: 01 May 2021 Wreckage path after heavy snowfall

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    Class of investigation

    This is a class 2 investigation. These investigations are complex and involve several safety issues requiring in-depth analysis. Class 2 investigations, which frequently result in recommendations, are generally completed within 600 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.