Fatal helicopter crash on B.C.’s South Coast blamed on rotor system [Video]

Canada’s Transportation Safety Board says the fatal crash of a British Columbia logging helicopter was caused when the chopper’s rotor system broke up mid-flight.

A final report from the board says that on Oct. 4, 2021, the pilot of the Kaman K-1200 dropped off a load of logs into Jervis Inlet on B.C.’s South Coast, turned around to pick up another load, then crashed into the water and sank.

The K-1200 has rotors on either side of the fuselage and the investigation found a blade on the left rotor had collided with a blade on the right rotor.

Investigators say a fracture in one of the aircraft’s joints led to a “fatigue crack” that progressed until a piece separated in flight, causing sudden vibrations and fluttering of the rotor blades, and failure of the left pylon structure, which allowed the blades to hit.

The final report says the TSB issued …