The pilot of a helicopter was seriously injured after it crashed in forested land near Nanoose after becoming entangled with a fuel tank on the ground. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

TSB INVESTIGATION

Snagged cables labelled as primary factor behind forestry helicopter crash near Nanoose Bay

Mar 23, 2022 | 9:30 AM

NANAIMO — Cables dangling from a helicopter that snagged on a nearby fuel tank are believed responsible for a serious crash in Nanoose Bay last year.

The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) released their findings into the crash on Nov. 4, 2021 where the pilot of a Bell 206B helicopter was seriously injured near Nanoose Bay.

Findings confirmed the helicopter, with one person on board, was placing a tree topper onto a nearby trailer on land around nine nautical miles southeast of the Qualicum Beach airport.

“The helicopter, with the three suspension cables still attached, backed away to land behind the trailer. As the pilot descended to approximately seven feet above ground level (AGL), the helicopter became unstable and began to tip over.”

According to the investigation, the pilot attempted to regain control of the helicopter by increasing altitude but quickly lost it again.

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“As the pilot again attempted to land, descending through approximately 2 feet AGL, the pilot felt a slight tug on the cables and the helicopter immediately began to tip.”

Cables linking the helicopter to its cargo came in contact and snagged a fuel tank on the trailer, causing the helicopter to roll with the main rotor hitting the ground.

The pilot lost consciousness in the incident and sustained serious injuries while the helicopter was destroyed.

No one else was injured.

The TSB also found a maintenance worker returned came to the crash site minutes after the incident and called 911.

“Concerned about the potential for a fire, the maintenance employee unbuckled the pilot and pulled them from the wreckage,” the report noted, with the blades of the helicopter still turning on the ground.

The man was airlifted to hospital from nearby the site of the crash.

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