Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Military helicopter did not respond as expected before crash: investigators

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 Jun, 2020 07:02 PM
  • Military helicopter did not respond as expected before crash: investigators

Flight investigators have determined the military helicopter that crashed off the coast of Greece in April did not respond as the crew on board expected before going down into the Mediterranean Sea.

The finding was in a preliminary investigation report published Monday by the Royal Canadian Air Force, which did not provide a definitive answer for what caused the April 29 crash.

The report instead says investigators will now focus on both the Cyclone helicopter's various systems and what role "human factors" played in the crash. Military officials have previously said the full investigation could take up to a year.

Six members of the Canadian Armed Forces were on board when the Cyclone helicopter went down while deployed with the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Fredericton. All of them were killed.

The crash occurred shortly after the Cyclone, codenamed Stalker 22, flew past the Fredericton while returning from a routine training mission and conducting some additional training, according to the investigation report.

Officials have confirmed it also participated in a photo-op involving the frigate.

It then turned to set up for landing and, according to the report, "during this final complex manoeuvring turn to close with the ship, the aircraft did not respond as the crew would have anticipated.

"This event occurred at a low altitude, was unrecoverable and the aircraft entered a high energy descent and impacted the water astern the ship."

After the crash, the Air Force temporarily grounded the rest of the military's 17 Cyclone helicopters, which only became operational in 2018 after more than a decade of development challenges.

That "operational pause" will continue until a risk assessment on the fleet can be conducted," Air Force commander Lt.-Gen. Al Meinzinger said in a statement.

"With the co-operation of the directorate of flight safety, a team of airworthiness experts are working closely to develop a plan to methodically and safely return the fleet to operations," he said. "This is critical work and we will take the time to do it right."

MORE National ARTICLES

Guy Laliberte wants to buy back Cirque du soleil, keep headquarters in Montreal

Guy Laliberte wants to buy back Cirque du soleil, keep headquarters in Montreal
Cirque du soleil founder Guy Laliberte says he wants to buy back the internationally celebrated circus company he created more than 35 years ago.

Guy Laliberte wants to buy back Cirque du soleil, keep headquarters in Montreal

N.S. RCMP use warrants to find killer's cellphone, computer and other devices

N.S. RCMP use warrants to find killer's cellphone, computer and other devices
As police continue their investigation into a mass killing that claimed 22 lives last month in rural Nova Scotia, newly released documents reveal the RCMP recently seized and searched the killer's computer, cellphone, tablet and navigation devices.

N.S. RCMP use warrants to find killer's cellphone, computer and other devices

Payments for CERB top $40 billion as feds open doors for commercial rent help

Payments for CERB top $40 billion as feds open doors for commercial rent help
A key federal benefit for Canadians out of work, or seeing large drops in their earnings, in the COVID-19 pandemic has paid out over $40 billion in emergency aid.

Payments for CERB top $40 billion as feds open doors for commercial rent help

B.C. needs change to keep cyber threats out of its election process: report

B.C. needs change to keep cyber threats out of its election process: report
British Columbia's chief electoral officer is recommending the government make several changes to protect the provincial electoral process from foreign interference, misleading advertising and impersonation.

B.C. needs change to keep cyber threats out of its election process: report

Charges laid in pipeline protest outside B.C. Premier John Horgan's home

Charges laid in pipeline protest outside B.C. Premier John Horgan's home
The BC Prosecution Service says it has appointed a special prosecutor to oversee charges against three people in relation to allegations of mischief and trespass at the home of Premier John Horgan.

Charges laid in pipeline protest outside B.C. Premier John Horgan's home

Online games could be source of money laundering, B.C. public inquiry hears

Online games could be source of money laundering, B.C. public inquiry hears
A public inquiry into money laundering in British Columbia has heard that cash is still king but cryptocurrencies and other virtual trade could rise as a trend.

Online games could be source of money laundering, B.C. public inquiry hears