Air transportation safety investigation A21W0045
Table of contents
Collision with terrain
Yellowhead Helicopters
Bell 212
Evansburg, Alberta
The occurrence
On , a Yellowhead Helicopters Bell 212 was conducting forest fire operations near Evansburg, Alberta, and experienced an in-flight main rotor blade separation while on approach to pick up a group of forest fire fighters. The helicopter subsequently crashed and there was a post-impact fire, destroying the majority of the helicopter. The ELT did not activate. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured.
On 6 July 2021, Transport Canada issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive on the subject of inspection and replacement of main rotor hub strap pins.
The TSB is investigating.
Media materials
Deployment notice
TSB deploys team to helicopter accident near Evansburg, Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, 29 June 2021 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators following an accident involving a Bell 212 helicopter near Evansburg, Alberta, that occurred on Monday 28 June, 2021. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
Map showing the location of the occurrence
Investigator-in-charge
Jeremy Warkentin joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in 2017 as a Regional Senior Technical Investigator, in the Aviation Investigations Branch, at the regional office in Edmonton, Alberta.
Mr. Warkentin is a graduate of the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) program and has more than 20 years of aviation experience working for several fixed wing operations as a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Quality Assurance Manager and Base/Production Manager. He holds both an M1 and M2 license, and has experience on aircraft ranging in size from the Cessna 152 to the Airbus A321.
Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- 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.
- 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.