Bell 206L-3 crash near Behchoko, Canada

A Great Slave Helicopters Bell 206L-3 LongRanger experienced an in-flight breakup near Behchoko, Northwest Territories, while supporting tree planting operations. On approach to deliver an external load of saplings, the noise of the helicopter audibly changed and it began to spin about its vertical axis. A section of one of the Van Horn composite main rotor blades separated from the hub, followed by the entire main rotor hub, blade assembly and transmission separating from the fuselage. The pilot survived. The helicopter was equipped with STC SH18-69 Van Horn Composite Main Rotor Blades. The TSB classified this as a Class 3 investigation.