The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has sent a team of investigators to examine a helicopter crash near Squamish, British Columbia. The crash occurred on Tuesday morning and involved a Bell 214 B1 helicopter carrying an external load.
TSB spokesperson Chris Krepski said the crash happened just before 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time. B.C. Emergency Health Services confirmed that it was alerted to the incident near Henriette Lake shortly before 10 a.m. A critically injured patient was airlifted to Vancouver International Airport, treated by paramedics, and then transferred to hospital in serious condition.
According to the RCMP, Squamish Search and Rescue teams located and recovered the injured pilot from the crash site. The pilot was the only person on board. Police said they are working closely with the TSB and WorkSafeBC to determine what caused the crash.
In a statement, Woodfibre LNG said the helicopter was operated by a contractor performing maintenance near the Henriette Dam. The company stressed that the cause of the crash has not been confirmed, but assured that there were no safety concerns regarding the dam’s structure.
Luke Schauerte, CEO of Woodfibre, said their top priority is the safety and well-being of everyone working with them. He expressed concern for the injured pilot and offered support to the individual’s family and colleagues.
Krepski said investigators are gathering information but could not confirm who owns the helicopter. He added that the TSB would release more details once the on-site investigation begins and evidence is reviewed.
The TSB explained that its role is to improve transportation safety across Canada. It investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail accidents to identify safety risks. The board does not assign blame or determine liability but focuses solely on preventing future incidents.
The Woodfibre LNG project, currently under construction near Squamish, sits on the traditional territory of the Squamish Nation. When completed in 2027, the facility is expected to produce about 2.1 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas each year for export.
Officials said more information about the helicopter crash will be made public once the TSB completes its preliminary assessment. For now, authorities continue to monitor the pilot’s recovery and ensure that the area remains safe for workers and residents.
