Photo provided by Crowsnest Pass R.C.M.P.
Only minor injuries following the crash of a helicopter Friday morning north of Coleman.
R.C.M.P. in the Crowsnest Pass are investigating following the crash of a helicopter Friday north of Coleman. It happened just before noon at The Gap provincial forestry fire base along Highway 40. Police say the chopper experienced mechanical problems, the pilot was unable to maintain control, and overshot the landing pad. The pilot and four forestry employees were taken to hospital in the Pass and released with only minor injuries. The Transportaton Safety Board is now investigating.
Five people walked away unscathed from a helicopter crash in southwest Alberta Friday morning.
RCMP said shortly after 11 a.m., a helicopter crashed at The Gap provincial forestry fire base along Highway 40, approximately 70 kilometres north of Coleman.
Crowsnest Pass RCMP Const. Dale Bereza said the pilot reported the helicopter experienced mechanical problems during the planned landing, with the pilot losing control.
Bereza said the experienced pilot then overshot the landing area, with the helicopter finally coming to rest on a field about 100 metres away in an adjacent field on its passenger side.
“The thing is that there was a fence between one landing area and the field so it’s a good thing he didn’t hook that or it could have been a lot worse,” Bereza said.
“He did his best to land it the best way he could.”
From being at the scene, Bereza said the majority of the damage was to the rotor blades with minimal damage to the body of the helicopter.
The pilot and four Alberta Forestry employees were transported to the Crowsnest Pass hospital as a precautionary measure.
Bereza said there were no cuts or bruises evident on the victims.
Transportation Safety Board and Occupational Health and Safety have been contacted and are expected to conduct a full investigation into the crash, RCMP said.
Source: http://www.calgaryherald.com
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