Helicopter strikes fuel drum
Accident breaks company's pristine safety record
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, July 23, 2015
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
One of two helicopters owned and operated by Thebacha Helicopters out of Fort Smith has been grounded after an accident in Fort Simpson caused extensive damage to the machine.
Thebacha Helicopters had its AS 350 B2 put out of commission on June 30 after the helicopter struck a fuel drum in Fort Simpson. - photo courtesy of Thebacha Helicopters
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The company's AS 350 B2 was setting down a water bucket at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources base heliport in Fort Simpson on June 30 during firefighting activities when it struck a fuel drum.
"We don't know how much the damages are, yet, but it would be categorized as substantial," said operations manager Kim Hornsby.
Thebacha Helicopters filed an accident report with the Transportation Safety Board. The report was entered into Transport Canada's online report system CADORS on July 9.
That report notes significant damage to the tail rotor, tail rotor gear box, tail boom, ventral fin and collateral damage to the horizontal stabilizer from tail rotor blade fragments. Data listed on the reporting system is preliminary and subject to change.
No injuries were reported as a result of the accident.
Hornsby has been in aviation for nearly 40 years, while Thebacha Helicopters is into its 21st year of operation. In all that time, Hornsby said, the company has never before had an incident with one of their aircraft.
"We've had a clean safety record," Hornsby said.
"It's unfortunate for us to have it tarnished this way."
Hornsby said the incident transpired as the pilot was in the process of setting down a water bucket.
"He was looking out front to set the water bucket on the front of the pad, and then he landed the helicopter on the pad," he said.
"There was a fuel barrel standing on the back of the helicopter landing pad, left there by another pilot, and our pilot didn't see it."
With the AS 350 B2 incapacitated, Thebacha Helicopters has one helicopter left fighting fires. That helicopter, a Bell 206B, is currently in Hay River.
Hornsby said Thebacha Helicopters has a company review process in place and ensures all their pilots have the appropriate licences and training to operate helicopters safely.
Thebacha Helicopters contracts on fire fighting efforts through the department, following its directions.
Transport Canada said when an accident is reported, the Transportation Safety Board is responsible for investigating causal factors relating directly to the accident, while Transport Canada reviews compliance with the Canadian Aviation Regulations and follows up with the operator.
"Following any incident or accident, Transport Canada weighs a variety of factors to determine the depth and scope of any follow-up action that is required," said Sean Best, regional communications officer for Transport Canada.
"These actions can range in complexity from a preliminary review to a more comprehensive review of the company's compliance to regulatory requirements."
The online report lists no further necessary action.
