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

Dr. Bonnie Henry : Influenza & Covid19 Not same | Be Prepared for the second wave this fall

Dr. Bonnie Henry : Influenza & Covid19 Not same | Be Prepared for the second wave this fall
As we slowly re-open we need to make sure that we practice physical distancing, hand-sanitization and most importantly stay calm and stay safe.

Dr. Bonnie Henry : Influenza & Covid19 Not same | Be Prepared for the second wave this fall

COVID-19 pandemic adds risk to wildfire season: B.C. forests minister

COVID-19 pandemic adds risk to wildfire season: B.C. forests minister
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the danger of British Columbia's wildfire season and the province's forests minister says public help is crucial to reducing fires.

COVID-19 pandemic adds risk to wildfire season: B.C. forests minister

B.C.'s minimum wage increase of 75 cents will go ahead as planned: minister

B.C.'s minimum wage increase of 75 cents will go ahead as planned: minister
There are no plans to defer a June 1 increase in British Columbia's minimum wage because of COVID-19, says the province's labour minister.

B.C.'s minimum wage increase of 75 cents will go ahead as planned: minister

TransLink's COVID-19 recovery adds routes, cleaning, urges passengers wear masks

TransLink's COVID-19 recovery adds routes, cleaning, urges passengers wear masks
The corporation overseeing Metro Vancouver's transportation network says it is restoring routes, enhancing cleaning and recommending passengers wear masks as B.C.'s COVID-19 restart begins.

TransLink's COVID-19 recovery adds routes, cleaning, urges passengers wear masks

Local legion honours victim, survivor of Snowbirds crash in Kamloops, B.C.

Local legion honours victim, survivor of Snowbirds crash in Kamloops, B.C.
Thousands of people tuned in online Thursday to hear the sombre sound of a bugle playing the Last Post and to take a moment of pause in remembrance of the victim of a Snowbirds plane crash.

Local legion honours victim, survivor of Snowbirds crash in Kamloops, B.C.

Loophole in relief funds could be exploited by scammers: NDP MP

Loophole in relief funds could be exploited by scammers: NDP MP
A loophole in the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit that doesn't prohibit people charging fees to help others get relief funds needs to be closed to prevent scams, an NDP MP says.

Loophole in relief funds could be exploited by scammers: NDP MP