Canadian Forces investigating YK helicopter crash

February 15, 2012

Yellowknife, N.W.T. - The Canadian Forces has opened up an investigation into the events which led to the power outage that blanketed Yellowknife on Monday evening.

According to the forces, a CH-146 Griffon was on a surveillance mission six miles north-west of the city when it struck a set of wires.

There were three people on board at the time but no one was injured.

The front end of the helicopter and windshield sustained heavy damage.

Lieutenant-Colonel Jon Casey with the Arctic Ram Exercise said an investigation team has arrived from the nation's capital to lead the investigation.

"Director of Flight Safety has sent down a team of five people from Ottawa. They're going to investigate the incident. At the moment right now aircraft and personnel are quarantined as part of the investigation."

Casey added while the investigation team will determine what happened, he can't pinpoint any cause right now.

"Unsure of the particulars of why, it could have ranged anything from mechanical to pilot error but we'll know once the investigation takes place."

Casey says the accident will have no impact on the Arctic Ram exercise and everything is expected to continue on schedule.

CJCD Mix 100 News