TSB urges caution on helicopter training flights after fatal crash near Red Deer

A federal safety investigation into a deadly helicopter crash in central Alberta is advising pilots to carefully weigh the risks of practising emergency manoeuvres while carrying passengers.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says the July 2025 crash involved a privately operated Bell Textron 206L-4 LongRanger that made a hard landing west of Red Deer during a training flight. The pilot and one passenger were on board when the aircraft went down.

According to the report released Thursday, the pilot was practising autorotation, an emergency procedure used when a helicopter loses engine power. While the first practice landing was completed without incident, the second attempt caused the helicopter to pitch upward, bank and descend rapidly before striking the ground.

A 54-year-old passenger from Benalto was killed in the crash, while the 63-year-old pilot from Lacombe County suffered serious injuries. The board noted that although autorotation training is a critical part of helicopter safety preparation, it carries greater risk than routine flying and exposing passengers to that risk should be carefully considered.

The report also highlighted a regulatory gap, noting that while Canadian rules restrict emergency training with passengers during commercial operations, similar limits do not apply to private flights. Investigators said neither the pilot nor the passenger was wearing a helmet, which is not required but could reduce the severity of head injuries.

The board referenced a 2024 Transport Canada Aviation Safety Letter article encouraging helmet use during all helicopter operations, pointing out that many accidents occur at low speeds during hovering, when rollovers and rotor strikes can result in severe impacts to occupants.