A recent investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada has revealed that a tragic helicopter incident in British Columbia was caused by the pilot skipping vital safety checks and being distracted by his cellphone. The accident occurred during maintenance ground run operations at Smithers Airport on May 6, 2023, resulting in the helicopter unexpectedly rotating 540 degrees and striking two ground workers with its tail rotor.
The report, released on Wednesday, highlighted that the pilot rushed through the safety checklist after the initial maintenance run to speed up the routine operations. Subsequently, during the third engine start, an unnoticed engagement of one of the helicopter’s pedals led to a rapid rotation that caught the ground workers off guard, resulting in tragic consequences.
TSB investigator Dan Clarke expressed regret over the incident, emphasizing that the shortcut taken by the pilot did not significantly save time and had dire consequences. The investigation revealed that the pilot was preoccupied with his cellphone, connected to a Bluetooth earpiece, at the time of the rotation, further complicating the situation.
Cellphone use in aircraft cockpits poses known risks, as highlighted by past accidents, although there are currently no regulations prohibiting this practice in Canada, according to the TSB. Clarke hopes that the report will prompt discussions about cellphone usage in cockpits and raise awareness about the importance of adhering to startup and shutdown checklists to prevent similar tragedies.
While the report does not provide specific recommendations, Clarke emphasized the need for industry-wide adherence to safety protocols to prevent future incidents. Following the accident, Mustang Helicopters Inc., the helicopter’s owner, implemented revised procedures and introduced a distraction policy mandating the stowing of electronic devices to enhance safety measures.