Two people have died following a helicopter crash during forestry operations in a remote area of British Columbia’s central coast.
The crash occurred on the morning of Tuesday, July 13th near Loughborough Inlet, north of Vancouver Island, at approximately 6:15 a.m. A Hughes 500 helicopter carrying three people went down while conducting forestry work in the area. The pilot and a forestry worker were killed, while a third occupant survived the crash.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has deployed investigators to the crash site to gather evidence and determine what caused the accident. The investigation is expected to examine the aircraft, weather conditions, maintenance records, and other factors that may have contributed to the crash.
Loughborough Inlet is a remote coastal fjord accessible primarily by boat or aircraft, where helicopters are commonly used to transport crews and support forestry operations in rugged terrain.
The incident has sent shockwaves through British Columbia’s forestry and aviation communities, where helicopter travel is a routine part of working in remote areas. The identities of those involved have not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.
