Jump to content

Three die in crash of Canadian Search and Rescue Helicopter

Unchecked
From Wikinews, the free news source you can write!

Thursday, July 13, 2006

A Canadian Forces CH-149 of 413 Squadron based at CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia crashed while conducting a night training exercise. Killed in the incident were Sgt. Duane Brazil, 39; Master Cpl. Kirk Noel, 33; and Cpl. Trevor McDavid, 31.

The aircraft was conducting a hoist operation at 12:30 AM local time near a Canadian Coast Guard Vessel. The helicopter ditched near the ship and suffered damage to the forward fuselage but remained floating. All seven crew were recovered from the wreckage. In addition to the three killed, four others were taken to hospital. One of the injured was transported by air ambulance to Halifax for further treatment.

The CH-149 is a Canadian designation for the AgustaWestland EH101 built in Italy. Canada purchased 15 for Search and Rescue duties. This is the first fatal crash in Canadian service. The aircraft were previously grounded due to cracks in critical rotor components which were believed to be the cause of the crash of a British Merlin (EH101) in 2004.

The aircraft involved was number 149914 indicating it was the 14th of the 15 aircraft delivered (serials 149901 to 149915).

[edit]

Sources

[edit]
  • 3 die as military chopper crashes off Nova Scotia — CBC News, July 13, 2006
  • Three dead in military helicopter crash off N.S. — CTV News, July 13, 2006
  • $2 Bn for British EH101 Merlin Multi-Role Upgrades — Defence Industry Daily, January 6, 2006


  Share this article

Email this story Share on Facebook Share on Telegram Share on WhatsApp Share on LinkedIn Share on WeChat

Share on Twitter Share on Reddit Share on Bluesky Share on Mastodon