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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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March 12, 2009 · Sikorsky S-92A · G-GZCH

St. John'S, Newfoundland, CA

Overview

Report Status
Factual report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 12, 2009
Injury Outcomes
18 injuries (17 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
St. John'S, Newfoundland, CA
Aircraft
Sikorsky S-92A
Tail Number
G-GZCH
Operator
Cougar Helicopter
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CEN09RA205

On March 12, 2009, about 0926 ADT, Atlantic Daylight Time, a Sikorsky S-92A helicopter, Canadian registry C-GZCH, operated by Cougar Helicopters, impacted the waters of the North Atlantic about 28 miles east of Cape Spear near St. John's, Newfoundland. There were two pilots and 16 passengers on board the helicopter. One passenger survived with serious injuries, but the other occupants were fatally injured. The helicopter was en route from St. John's International Airport (CYYT) to an offshore oil platform in the Hibernia oil field. The pilot made a MAYDAY call due to a mechanical difficulty, and was returning to St. John's at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and the sea state had 3 - 5 meter swells. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Canada. Any further information may be obtained from: Transportation Safety Board of Canada Place du Centre 200 Promenade du Portage, 4th Floor Gatineau, Quebec J8X 4B7 This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by or obtained for the Government of Canada.

Full Narrative

On March 12, 2009, about 0926 ADT, Atlantic Daylight Time, a Sikorsky S-92A helicopter, Canadian registry C-GZCH, operated by Cougar Helicopters, impacted the waters of the North Atlantic about 28 miles east of Cape Spear near St. John's, Newfoundland. There were two pilots and 16 passengers on board the helicopter. One passenger survived with serious injuries, but the other occupants were fatally injured. The helicopter was en route from St. John's International Airport (CYYT) to an offshore oil platform in the Hibernia oil field. The pilot made a MAYDAY call due to a mechanical difficulty, and was returning to St. John's at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and the sea state had 3 - 5 meter swells. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Canada. Any further information may be obtained from: Transportation Safety Board of Canada Place du Centre 200 Promenade du Portage, 4th Floor Gatineau, Quebec J8X 4B7 This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by or obtained for the Government of Canada.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:26 UTC
Nearest AirportSt. John'S International (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSikorsky S-92A
Tail NumberG-GZCH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCougar Helicopter
Seats16 + 2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary18 injuries (17 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal17
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total18

Conditions

WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data