Bell 206 accident near Lac Saint-Jean, Ca, January 23, 2020
On January 23, 2020 at about 1:13 am local time, a Bell 206 (helicopter), registered CGSQA, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Lac Saint-Jean. It was a public-use flight under non-U.S. private rules. 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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
- January 23, 2020 · about 1:13 am local time
- Place
- Lac Saint-Jean, Canada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 L4T · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- CGSQA · no longer on the register · serial 52060
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
The government of Canada has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a BELL 206 helicopter that occurred on January 22, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Canada's investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13.All investigative information will be released by the government of Canada.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during enroute defining event
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 4,449 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Rolls-Royce M250-C20R (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Rolls-Royce M250-C20R (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CYTF Alma
- Destination: CYLQ La Tuque
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.