A helicopter owned by Powell River’s Oceanview Helicopters made a hard landing on the tarmac at Powell River Airport at approximately 4:15 pm on Thursday, November 30. Two people were assessed on the scene by first responders as being uninjured. The runway was closed until the helicopter could be removed. Witnesses reported hearing a loud sound like grinding metal and seeing smoke.
The Hughes 369D helicopter experienced a power loss while on approach to runway 09 at the Powell River Airport, according to Transportation Safety Board of Canada spokesperson Chris Krepski.
"The pilot initiated an autorotation and during the landing sequence the main rotor system struck and severed the tail boom," said Krepski. "We're not going to deploy, but will followup to know more about the cause of the power loss.”
An autorotation is used in instances of engine loss and is sometimes necessary if the rear rotor blades stop functioning properly.
