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