Bell 206B accident near Fox Creek, Ca, September 5, 2016
On September 5, 2016 at about 9:20 pm local time, a 1978 Bell 206B (helicopter), registered CGHHU, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Fox Creek. It was flown under non-U.S. commercial rules. 1 person was killed, 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 5, 2016 · about 9:20 pm local time
- Place
- Fox Creek, Canada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed, 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B B, built 1978 · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- CGHHU · no longer on the register · serial 2196
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. commercial rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On September 5, 2016, about 1520 mountain daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, Canadian registration C-GHHU, impacted terrain during an aerial survey flight subsequent to a power loss about 12 miles southwest of Fox Creek, Alberta, Canada. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Ridge Rotors Inc. and was substantially damaged in the impact. Of the three persons on board, the pilot sustained serious injuries, one passenger sustained fatal injuries and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from Whitecourt Airport, Whitecourt, Alberta, Canada, and was destined to return. The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada is investigating the accident. As the State of Manufacturer of the helicopter and engine, the NTSB has designated a U.S. accredited representative to assist the TSB in its investigation. All inquiries concerning this accident should be directed to the TSB of Canada: Transportation Safety Board of Canada 200 Promenade du Portage Place du Centre, 4th Floor Hull, Quebec K1A 1K8 Canada Website: http://www.tsb.gc.ca
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 3,199 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Not recorded
- Operator: Ridge Rotors Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: CYZU Whitecourt
- Destination: CYZU Whitecourt
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.