Collision with terrain
Geotech Aviation Ltd.
Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3 helicopter
Kitsault, British Columbia
The occurrence
On , a Geotech Aviation Ltd. Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3 helicopter was conducting electromagnetic survey operations from a camp at Kitsault, British Columbia, with only the pilot on board.
During the return flight to camp, an emergency locator transmitter signal was detected and relayed to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria, British Columbia.
The search and rescue team located the crash site and reported that the pilot had been fatally injured. The helicopter was destroyed, and there was no post-impact fire.
Media materials
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators following a fatal helicopter accident near Kitsault, British Columbia
Richmond, British Colombia, 18 November 2022 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to Kitsault, British Columbia, following a fatal collision with terrain of a commercially registered AS 350 B3 helicopter that occurred on 9 November 2022. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
A22P0111
Collision with terrain
Geotech Aviation Ltd.
Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3 helicopter
Kitsault, British Columbia
Investigator-in-charge
Ryan Libech joined the TSB’s Air Investigations Branch in 2020 after having spent 18 years in private sector helicopter maintenance and production management, notably working on BK117, Airbus EC120/130, Bell 206/407, and Agusta A109 helicopters, in emergency medical service, private and utility environments. He was also a maintenance lead for international helicopter deployment in the Middle East, and worked periodically as an instructor for professional maintenance training. The majority of his expertise is in aircraft maintenance and operations. Mr. Libech has a diploma in aircraft maintenance engineers technology from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary, Alberta.
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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.