Investigators reach helicopter site as coroner confirms fatality

Transportation Safety Board investigators are beginning work at the scene of a Fort Good Hope helicopter crash where a pilot passed away on Friday last week.

NWT chief coroner Garth Eggenberger, reached by phone at noon on Tuesday, confirmed the pilot – the lone occupant of the helicopter – had lost their life in the incident.

Previously, the TSB had said the incident took place at Fort Good Hope’s airport. A Bell Textron B212 operated by Great Slave Helicopters was involved. NWT Fire said the helicopter was taking part in wildfire management operations.

Wildfire VQ001 has been burning next to Fort Good Hope for weeks. The community has been under an evacuation order since June 15.

“The team was finally able to access the site on Sunday and our investigators have been collecting data and conducting interviews at Great Slave Helicopters Monday and Tuesday,” a TSB spokesperson said by email on Tuesday.

Eggenberger said an autopsy would now take place in Edmonton.

So far, no detail has been confirmed regarding the nature of Friday’s incident. The pilot’s identity has yet to be made public.

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