A tragic incident claimed the life of an Attawapiskat, Ontario man in Nunavut last April when he was struck by a spinning helicopter tail rotor. The man, a frequent flyer on the annual flights between Attawapiskat Airport in Ontario and Akimiski Island in Nunavut, was familiar with the risks associated with such travel. Despite this familiarity, he was not briefed before the flight that ended in his untimely death. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has launched an investigation into the incident to determine contributing factors and potential lapses in safety protocols.
The helicopter, operated by Heli Explore Inc., was engaged in transporting community members for the annual goose hunt, referred to as the Goose Break, when the accident occurred. On the final trip of the day, the aircraft landed near a camp where the man and a snowmobile driver began unloading gear. After emptying the helicopter's cargo areas, the man inadvertently walked towards the back of the aircraft, leading to the fatal encounter with the tail rotor.
The TSB is meticulously examining the circumstances surrounding the incident. According to reports, the helicopter pilot assumed that passengers were aware of safety procedures due to briefings provided in previous years. However, it appears that a safety briefing was not conducted before takeoff on this occasion. The report emphasized the importance of reinforcing awareness of helicopter danger zones:
“Pilots are reminded to ensure that all passengers and ground personnel are briefed on and understand the hazards of helicopter danger areas.” – The report
For years, Heli Explore Inc. has facilitated flights for Attawapiskat community members during the goose hunting season since 2022, providing safety briefings about avoiding the helicopter's rear section. In this particular instance, the trip was organized by a community member not affiliated with the helicopter company, potentially contributing to a lapse in standard safety protocols.
The incident also highlighted a recent change implemented by Airbus Helicopters just four months prior to the tragedy. A new paint scheme was introduced on their helicopters to enhance the visibility of spinning tail rotors. The report noted the challenges of detecting a moving rotor:
“When a tail rotor is spinning, it is difficult, if not impossible, to see,” – The report
Furthermore, the report detailed that a technique commonly employed during passenger and cargo loading aimed at ensuring safety might have been overlooked:
“This technique was often used during … passenger and cargo loading and off-loading to allow for a swift reaction if the helicopter were to shift or become unstable on the landing area.” – The report
The TSB's ongoing investigation seeks to uncover whether these and other factors played a role in the fatal accident. Their findings will likely underscore the critical need for stringent adherence to safety protocols and comprehensive passenger briefings regardless of past familiarity.
