The pilot of a Guimbal Cabri G2 was conducting a geophysical survey, flying low over Wachigabau Lake in central Quebec, when the helicopter struck the surface, overturned and began to sink. The pilot was seriously injured by the impact but exited the helicopter underwater and swam to shore, where he built a fire to dry his cellphone and called for help.
In its final report on the Oct. 8, 2021, accident, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) cited two causes and contributing factors, including the “routine practice of descending and flying below 25 m (82 feet) when over water or flat, open field.” That practice “left the occurrence pilot insufficient height or time to detect and react to operational hazards,” the report said.
The report also cited the mirror effect of the lake’s glassy water, which “resulted in a reduction of visual cues needed for depth perception.” As a result, the report added, “an inadvertent descent went unnoticed by the p…
