Some new information is being revealed relating to a wild incident involving a helicopter back in 2023 in B.C.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released its investigation report into a lightning strike that led to the loss of control of a Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopter over North Pender Island.
Helijet was operating the helicopter and was conducting scheduled flights between Vancouver Harbour and Victoria Harbour heliports.
During the helicopter’s fourth flight of the day, it departed the Vancouver Harbour “under instrument flight rules,” meaning the pilot could not rely on outside visual references, like fog or clouds.
As it was travelling, the helicopter entered an area of heavy rain and turbulence and was struck by lightning.
Once the strike occurred, the captain took control of the helicopter from the first officer.
“Shortly after, the helicopter entered an uncontrolled, rapid descent of about 3,000 feet and a steep turn. Once the helicopter emerged from the clouds, the captain regained visual references and re-established a straight and level flight to Victoria Harbour,” TSB said.
After control of the helicopter was reestablished, the B.C. flight crew was able to reassess available options to continue the flight.
“The captain also identified a contingency plan to land immediately if the circumstances changed. With visual flight conditions observed along the remaining flight path, the decision-making process reasonably considered the variables present and integrated all the information available,” TSB’s investigation found.
The investigation has now found that the strike was “likely the result of helicopter-induced lightning.”
TSB says that the phenomenon is when a helicopter triggers a lightning strike. You can find more information about this phenomenon online. It often takes place in winter conditions, with the helicopter acting as a conductor. It can happen in areas with little to no natural lightning activity.
Due to the strike, the helicopter sustained substantial damage, including damage to the horizontal stabilizer and tail rotor sustained damage. There were no reported injuries to flight staff.
You can read the full investigation online.