The Transportation Safety Board of Canada Releases Investigation Report into the December 2010 Engine Power Loss and Autorotation Landing of a Eurocopter AS 350 B2 near Pickle Lake, Ontario

GATINEAU, QC, Feb. 21, 2012 /CNW/ - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) today released its final investigation report (A10C0214) into the December 2010 engine power loss and autorotation landing of a Forest Helicopters Inc. Eurocopter AS 350 B2 near Pickle Lake, Ontario.

The helicopter was conducting slinging operations when its engine lost power at low airspeed and 250 feet above ground level. The pilot jettisoned the load and attempted an emergency autorotation landing. The helicopter struck the ground at a level attitude and one of the main rotor blades severed the tail boom. The helicopter was substantially damaged but there was no post-crash fire. The pilot was not injured and was able to exit the aircraft.

The report is available on the TSB website at www.bst-tsb.gc.ca.

The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.

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