Rain on the windshield may have played a part in a fiery helicopter crash: TSB

The Transportation Safety Board says rain on the windshield may have played a part in a fiery helicopter crash in northwestern BC last August that killed the pilot.

It happened August 17th near a worksite northwest of Stewart as heavy rain swept over the area where the Aberdeen Helicopters pilot was moving a dismantled drilling rig from one site to another.

The TSB says as the rain arrived, the pilot flew out of the work area and tests indicate the helicopter had no mechanical issues and was under full power when GPS co-ordinates show it hit the upper edge of a nearby mountain seconds later and burst into flames.

TSB investigators say rain on the helicopter's curved windshield may have created an optical illusion that makes the horizon or oncoming objects appear slightly lower than they really are.

TSB of Canada on Twitter:

Released today: Investigation report into August 2020 collision with terrain of a helicopter northwest of Stewart, BC #TSBAir http://ow.ly/miEw50DUoVB