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The search for two people onboard a Robinson R66 helicopter that went missing between Sudbury and Kapuskasing, Ont., has ended with the discovery of their aircraft.
Unfortunately, when Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) search and rescue technicians (SAR techs) arrived on scene, the two people onboard the aircraft were found without vital signs.
The missing helicopter was discovered by an RCAF CC-130 Hercules at 1:22 p.m. EDT and deployed SAR techs from a RCAF CH-146 Griffon helicopter at 1:54 p.m. EDT.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Transport Canada have been advised, and the OPP has taken control of the crash site. The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) will be launching an investigation into the cause of this crash.
The helicopter with two people onboard was initially reported missing Wed., March 6, after their family contacted the OPP. They had been flying from Sudbury to Kapuskasing, Ont.
Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Trenton began the search with RCAF aircraft and Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) personnel on March 6, and it was upgraded to a major SAR operation on Sat., March 9.
“While this is not the outcome we hoped for, we hope it brings closure to the family and friends of Jody and Nicole Blais,” said Capt Marty Zimmer, Searchmaster, 1 Canadian Air Division. “We would like to thank the local communities for their support, as well as those that phoned in with tips. We also thank the OPP, Canadian Coast Guard and CASARA volunteers for their tireless efforts over the past several days.”
Quick Facts
- At its height, the search involved: seven RCAF aircraft; a Canadian Coast Guard helicopter; and three Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) aircraft flown by volunteers. Personnel and aircraft from: 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron, 8 Wing Trenton; 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron, 17 Wing Winnipeg; 439 Combat Support Squadron, 3 Wing Bagotville; 405 Long Range Patrol Squadron, 14 Wing Greenwood; as well as the Canadian Coast Guard and several CASARA volunteers both on the ground and in the air.
- Approximately 85 RCAF, Canadian Coast Guard, and CASARA personnel took part in the search in the air, on the ground and in the search headquarters.
- Search and rescue (SAR) incidents under the federal SAR mandate are defined as all aircraft incidents and all marine incidents in waters under federal jurisdiction. With the exception of federally owned National Parks, the overall responsibility for land and inland water search and rescue rests with the provinces, territories and municipalities.
