Bell 206B crash near Lac Simoncouche, Canada

A Bell 206B (C-GOOQ, manufactured 1993) operated by the Centre Quebecois de Formation Aeronautique (CQFA) was conducting a sling-load training flight under VFR near Lac Simoncouche, Quebec, with only the pilot on board. While attempting to set down the load, the pilot felt a rapid yaw to the right. He applied left pedal but could not stop the rotation. The helicopter began spinning about its vertical axis at approximately 40 feet above ground. After about one and a half rotations, the pilot moved the throttle to idle and attempted to cushion the landing using remaining rotor RPM. The aircraft landed on top of the external load on the frozen lake surface. Both tail rotor blades were broken at the root, indicating the tail rotor was rotating at high speed at the moment of surface contact. Damage to the belly, skids, tail boom, and tail rotor. No injuries and no fire.