Several of the aging Sikorsky helicopters in ORNGE’s fleet had upgraded electronics, including a ground proximity warning system, but not the one that was based in Moosonee.
That left the crew of the Sikorsky S-76 without a potentially life-saving back-up as they departed on a midnight flight to Attawapiskat from their Moosonee base on May 31.
Their flight lasted barely a minute, crashing into the forest near the airport, killing the two pilots and two paramedics onboard.
Ground proximity warning systems have a visual display that maps high ground around an aircraft to assist with situational awareness.
And the system will also sound urgent aural alarms, such as “terrain, terrain, pull up,” when there is danger of hitting the ground.
Such a warning may have made all the difference to the crew of the Sikorsky chopper that crashed, one veteran pilot told the Star.
“I firmly believe it would have helped in that situation. ... The system would tell you you are in the wrong place,” he said.
Said another pilot: “If they had had it and they were trained properly, it would have absolutely saved their lives. Absolutely.
“There’s no doubt. That thing goes off like a crazy fire siren and you’re aware of it all of a sudden,” said the pilot, with years of experience in air ambulance flying.
While this aircraft lacked the warning system, ORNGE has put another of its S-76A helicopters up for sale, boasting about its “excellent” electronics, including a ground proximity warning system. It’s being sold for parts for $500,000 (U.S.).
That’s caused some ORNGE employees to question why the chopper in Moosonee wasn’t better equipped, noting it even lacked an autopilot.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has said there is no early indication of a mechanical problem that may have caused the crash.
Investigators have not ruled out the possibility this was a controlled-flight-into-terrain, when pilots lose track of their position — usually in conditions of low visibility or bad weather — and inadvertently fly into the ground.
The safety board has previously urged installation of ground proximity warning systems in fixed-wing aircraft to prevent just such accidents.
ORNGE spokesperson Laurelle Knox confirmed the helicopter that crashed was not equipped with such a warning system but said it was not required by Transport Canada.
And she said that Canadian Helicopters, which previously held the contract to operate the air ambulance choppers, flew the Sikorsky in the same configuration.
Transport Canada has since imposed new requirements for most commercial aircraft to install a newer, more sophisticated version known as the terrain awareness and warning systems.
These systems are designed to provide even greater warning to pilots of potential collision with terrain and give them time to take evasive action.
“These types of accidents often happen when pilots are unaware of the danger until it is too late,” Transport Canada said in a 2011 news release announcing the regulation.
The regulations apply to private turbine-powered and commercial airplanes with six or more passenger seats. A department spokesperson said Friday that the new rules don’t apply to helicopters.
Source: thestar.com
Author: Bruce Campion-Smith
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