Air transportation safety investigation A25Q0091

Table of contents

    Collision with water
    Airmédic Inc.
    Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm MBB-BK117 B-2 (helicopter)
    Havre-Saint-Pierre Airport (CYGV) (Quebec), 47 NM ENE

    The occurrence

    On 20 June 2025, an MBB-BK117 B-2 helicopter operated by Airmédic Inc. was conducting a night visual flight rules medical evacuation flight from Havre-Saint-Pierre Airport (CYGV), Quebec, with two crew members and two medical personnel on board. The flight’s objective was to pick up a person from an outfitter on Watshishou Lake, Quebec, located approximately 47 nautical miles from the airport, for transport to a hospital.

    Shortly after takeoff from the outfitter with the person to be evacuated, the helicopter struck the surface of the lake and sank. One of the occupants was able to extricate himself from the helicopter and swim to the nearest shore, before being brought to the outfitter by boat by a witness who saw the accident.

    The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre was notified, and a team was dispatched to the scene. The helicopter was located in the lake late in the day on 23 June. The other four occupants were fatally injured.

    The TSB is investigating.

    Media materials

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    A25Q0091

    Collision with water
    Airmédic Inc.
    Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm MBB-BK117 B-2 (helicopter)
    Havre-Saint-Pierre Airport (CYGV) (Quebec), 47 NM ENE

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    Class of investigation

    This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.

    TSB investigation process

    There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation

    1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
    2. Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
    3. Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.

    For more information, see our Investigation process page.

    The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.