CH146495 Griffon - From the Investigator

The incident flight was a tactical navigation training flight to exfil troops from the Edmonton Tactical Low Flying Area (TLFA). The aircraft was part of a formation of two CH-146 Griffon helicopters and the flight was conducted at tactical altitudes, as low as 15 feet above ground level.

After conducting circuit and nap-of-the-earth handling practice, the formation departed the base northbound for the TLFA, where a tactical navigation route to the exfiltration location was initiated. In the later portion of the route with the aircraft heading southbound in the lead position, they approached a group of trees along a east/west roadway. The crew identified a pole left of the aircraft’s nose, however no wires were observed running to the right of the pole and their altitude remained unchanged. The aircraft struck a wire a few seconds later. Following the wire strike a decision was made to split the formation, with the incident aircraft returning to base single-ship.

The aircraft sustained very serious damage and the crew sustained no injuries.

The investigation did not reveal any evidence of technical issues with the aircraft and is now focusing on human factors.

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