A week after a helicopter went down, killing its pilot, Transport Canada has issued a new Airworthiness Directive related to rotor hub strap pins on the aircraft.
Pilot Heath Coleman, 48, of Prince George, died when a Bell 212 helicopter crashed on June 28, while he was helping fight a wildfire near Evansburg, Alta.
Coleman was a well-respected base manager in Blue River for Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing for several years. He was remembered in a Facebook post on the company page.
“As a first responder in fighting wildfires, Heath lost his life in the line of duty while protecting people and property. We honour his service to others as the highest calling,” said the post.
The Transport Canada Directive said during the investigation of the fatal accident, it discovered that one of the outboard main rotor hub strap pins sheared off during flight, leading to the detachment of the main rotor blade and the main rotor head.
To address the risk of detachment of main rotor hub strap pins in flight, the directive has been issued as an interim measure to mandate the replacement of affected strap pins. It covers Bell 212 and other models of Bell helicopters.
