Last month’s lightning strike on a Helijet Sikorsky S-76 caused more damage and was more dangerous than first reported, according to preliminary information recently released yesterday by Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB).
Initial reports indicated the strike caused the temporary loss of aircraft instrumentation, an uncontrolled descent that was recovered, the loss of two of the four tail rotor blades, and damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. However, a post-landing inspection revealed impact damage on the main rotor blades and the left engine cowl as well. The TSB characterized the damage as substantial.
The S-76C++ with 14 aboard—two crew and 12 passengers—was on a scheduled IFR flight from the Vancouver Harbor Heliport (CBC7) to the Victoria Harbor Heliport (CBF7) on October 24. It was struck by lightning at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time while cruising at 4,200 feet 10 nm west/southwest of Victoria International Airport (CYYJ).
Following the strike, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent that the pilot-in-command recovered from after an altitude loss of 2,900 feet. The crew declared an emergency and the flight continued to CBF7 and landed without incident. The aircraft was then disassembled for ground transportation to a hangar at the Vancouver International Airport (CYVR) for a more detailed inspection.