The TSB has released its report into the crash of a private helicopter at Thorburn Lake in July of 2020 that claimed the life of a Gambo man.
The Robinson R44 II helicopter was returning from a remote Labrador fishing camp to Paddy’s Pond near St. John’s with three people, the pilot and two passengers, on board. It was accompanied by a second Robinson R44 which followed the same route. It made a number of stops along the way and planned to stop at Springdale to refuel. The pilots realized that fuel service would not be available for several hours and decided to refuel at a small clearing in the trees at Thorburn Lake instead.
As the pilot hovered over the landing site just below the level of the treetops, he realised there wasn’t enough room, and initiated a vertical climb, but the aircraft slowly began to yaw to the right. The pilot was unable to control the helicopter and it crashed into the trees. All three occupants were taken to hospital, but one of the passengers was seriously injured, and died.
The TSB says the combination of terrain, wind direction and velocity created mechanical turbulence and the unanticipated yaw was not related to equipment failure or defective maintenance as all single rotor helicopters flying at low speed can experience the phenomenon. The TSB acknowledges that take-off and landing in a confined area presents unique challenges and says it is important for pilots to recognize the factors that may lead to loss of control of the helicopter.
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