Engine failure, bucket led to deadly helicopter crash during Alberta wildfire: TSB

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says engine failure less than a minute into a flight contributed to a deadly helicopter crash during a 2023 wildfire in northern Alberta.

It says the helicopter's pilot had been tapped to help with firefighting efforts in the Peace River region and took off with an empty water bucket suspended from a 45-metre line.

Soon after, the pilot reported a mechanical issue, prompting him to turn around and return to base.

The board's investigation found the bucket hanging from the helicopter got caught in trees during its descent.

Although the pilot was able to disconnect the line, it caused him to lose full control of the aircraft and it went nose-down into the ground.

The pilot for Valhalla Helicopters Inc, identified as 41-year-old Ryan Gould of Whitecourt, Alta., survived the impact but later died of his injuries.

The board says investigators found a defect in the engine had worn on it over time and led to its failure.

Eight wildfire fighters died in the summer of 2023, a year in which the total area burned in Canada eclipsed the previous record by more than 2 1/2 times.