Helicopter rolls over on take off
Aircraft's skid caught ground and flipped at Ekati mine
Robin Grant
Northern News Services
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A veteran pilot with Great Slave Helicopters escaped with minor injuries after his aircraft rolled on take off at the Ekati diamond mine on Saturday.
A Great Slave Helicopters Bell 206 LongRanger, like this one, flipped over when taking off from Ekati mine Saturday. The helicopter was damaged in the incident and pilot was slightly hurt. - photo courtesy of Great Slave Lake Helicopters |
The company's president Chris Bassett said helicopters are susceptible to a condition called dynamic rollover when taking off from unstable terrain as was the case on the weekend.
He said one of the Bell 206 LongRanger's skids became caught on the ground, causing the aircraft to flip over as the pilot attempted to climb.
"It was a very, very experienced pilot and these things unfortunately happen when operating in unimproved areas," said Bassett.
"We are very happy and thankful that the pilot didn't sustain any serious injuries."
The pilot walked to the nearest road following the accident where he was picked up by another helicopter and flown back to Yellowknife.
He said both Transport Canada and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada are currently conducting investigations.
"We are co-operating 100 per cent with the investigation," said Bassett.
The helicopter remains at the crash location about eight kilometres northeast of the main Ekati mine site.
