Air transportation safety investigation A25W0045

Table of contents

    Collision with terrain
    Horizon Helicopters Ltd.
    Airbus AS350B, C-GHZN
    Whitehorse/Erik Nielsen International Airport (CYXY), Yukon, 5.5 NM E 

    The occurrence

    On 02 May 2025, an Airbus AS350B helicopter operated by Horizon Helicopters Ltd. departed on a training flight with 2 pilots on board from Whitehorse/Erik Nielsen International Airport, Yukon.

    After conducting training exercises over the course of about an hour, the pilots performed several practice autorotations, and during the 4th autorotation, the helicopter collided with the ground. One pilot was fatally injured. The TSB is investigating.

    Media materials

    Deployment notice

    TSB deploys a team of investigators following a helicopter accident in Whitehorse, Yukon

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    A25W0045

    Collision with terrain
    Horizon Helicopters Ltd.
    Airbus AS350B, C-GHZN
    Whitehorse/Erik Nielsen International Airport (CYXY), Yukon, 5.5 NM E 

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    Class of investigation

    This is a class 4 investigation. These investigations are limited in scope, and while the final reports may contain limited analysis, they do not contain findings or recommendations. Class 4 investigations are generally completed within 220 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.