On July 6, 2025, a Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) 206L-4 helicopter registration C-GKVX was conducting a private visual flight rules (VFR) flight from The Lodge at Panther River, Alberta, to the Hespero/Safron Residence Heliport (CTS6), Alberta. The pilot and one passenger were on board. After a 34-minute flight, the helicopter overflew its destination heading north.
The pilot conducted a 360° turn and began an autorotation approach from approximately 700 feet above ground level. The approach consisted of a 123° track change and a rate of descent up to 3846 fpm. The pilot terminated the approach by conducting a power recovery before landing in the middle of a grass strip oriented on a heading of 290° magnetic (M).
The helicopter then departed along the grass strip, turned downwind, and levelled off at approximately 300 feet above ground level. At around 1218:29, the pilot started a left turn that increased to 43° of bank toward a heading of 351° in another descent consistent with an autorotation. The maximum rate of descent in this turn was recorded to be 2362 fpm at a height of 100 feet above ground level.
In the next few seconds, the helicopter pitched up and slowed its rate of descent. It eventually contacted the ground at 1218:50, with the skid gear collapsing and the helicopter coming to rest facing the opposite direction of travel. The impact resulted in significant damage, including one main rotor blade impacting the tail boom and the tail rotor being separated from the fuselage.
The passenger was fatally injured, while the pilot suffered serious injuries. There was no post-impact fire. The investigation into this incident is ongoing, with the cause yet to be determined.
The investigation of this incident highlights the importance of proper autorotation techniques and the need for pilots to carefully manage their aircraft's descent rates during autorotations. Inadequate control can lead to loss of lift and subsequent impact.
