Aircraft operating with CCG research icebreaker Amundsen
Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) announced that is launching an investigation into the crash of a Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) helicopter. The tragic incident in which three men were killed was the result of the helicopter crash into the Arctic Ocean.
The CCG helicopter, operated by Transport Canada, departed from the CCG vessel Amundsen and crashed in the M’Clure Strait, off the coast of Banks Island, Northwest Territories on Monday. The helicopter was on a reconnaissance mission at the time, travelling with the Amundsen, the coast guard icebreaker.
The men who died were commanding officer of the CCGS Amundsen, the helicopter pilot and an Arctic scientist affiliated with the University of Manitoba.There were no survivors. The TSB announced that is gathering information and will be deploying.
Canadian Coast Guard Ship – Amudsen
Image Source: Wikipedia
According to CBC News, a spokesperson with the Coast Guard said Tuesday that weather conditions in the area of the crash were “clear, with good visibility.”
The first responder to the crash site was the Amundsen itself. The crew was able to recover the three victims, and are returning to Resolute with their bodies. All three were wearing standard issue orange survival suits.