Pilot involved in fatal B.C. helicopter accident distracted by cellphone, TSB finds

A Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigation into a fatal B.C. helicopter accident states the pilot missed important steps on a safety checklist and was distracted by his cellphone. 

One pilot and two workers were conducting maintenance ground run operations on the helicopter at Smithers Airport on May 6, 2023, when the aircraft unexpectedly rotated approximately 540 degrees. 

The report released Wednesday said both workers on the ground were struck by the helicopter’s tail rotor, killing one and severely injuring the other. 

The investigation found that after the first maintenance ground run, the pilot abbreviated the operator’s checklist to expedite operations as this type of maintenance is routine and repetitive. 

“Part of the sadness in all of this for me is that it really wouldn’t have saved very much time,” said TSB investigator Dan Clarke. “It’s really, you know, inconsequential.” 

By the third time the aircraft’s engine was started, one of the helicopter’s pedals was engaged, which went undetected, and it began rotating quickly. Both ground workers tried to get out of the way, but were stuck multiple times by the tail rotor. 

TSB said the pilot was not expecting the helicopter’s rapid rotation and was looking down when the rotation began. The report said the pilot’s attention was split between the maintenance operations and his cellphone, which was connected to a Bluetooth earpiece.

The board’s report said it has identified the risks of cellphone use in past accidents. 

There are currently no regulations that prohibit cellphone use in aircraft cockpits in Canada, according to TSB.

“We’ve done our best to unearth the details and I think that if nothing else, maybe it’s the start of a conversation about cellphone usage and cockpits,” said Clarke.

While the report doesn’t make specific recommendations, Clarke said he hopes it serves to raise awareness about the importance of properly following a startup and shutdown checklist. 

“What I’ve learned in this investigation is that that may not be occurring in industry, in the field, at different locations around Canada,” he said. “A young fellow lost his life and we’re trying to make sure that doesn’t happen again.” 

The report said Mustang Helicopters Inc., the aircraft’s owner, changed procedures after the accident, and also created a distraction policy requiring the stowing of electronic devices.