Photo Courtesy EGP Staff

By The Canadian Press

Wildfires

Engine failure led to death of helicopter pilot helping fight forest fires says TSB

Feb 28, 2025 | 3:11 PM

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says engine failure less than a minute into a flight contributed to a helicopter crash during a 2023 wildfire in northern Alberta.

It says the helicopter’s pilot had been tapped to help with firefighting efforts in the Peace River region and took off with an empty water bucket suspended from a 45-metre line.

Soon after, the pilot reported a mechanical issue, prompting him to turn around and return to base.

The board’s investigation found the bucket hanging from the helicopter got caught in trees during its descent.

Although the pilot was able to disconnect the line, it caused him to lose full control of the aircraft and it went nose-down into the ground.

The pilot, identified as 41-year-old Ryan Gould of Whitecourt, survived the impact but later died of his injuries.