Helicopter Lands Safely after Lightning Strike

A helicopter recently landed safely after a lightning strike apparently ripped off two of its four tail rotor blades, damaged its horizontal stabilizer, and compromised its flight instruments. The Helijet Sikorsky S-76 was on a flight from the Vancouver harbor to Victoria on Vancouver Island in British Columbia with two pilots and 12 passengers aboard. The incident occurred on October 24 shortly after 9 a.m. local time while the aircraft was mid-route, in a cloud, and at an altitude of 4,200 feet. Two pilots and 12 passengers were aboard.

According to Helijet CEO Daniel Sitnam, the pilots saw a bright flash and heard a loud bang, then noticed their flight instruments were out. However, they were able to declare an emergency with air traffic control. They then descended below the cloud deck to an altitude of 1,300 feet and maintained visual reference to landing. A weather statement from Environment Canada for the Victoria Island area yesterday called for up to two inches of rain but made no mention of lightning. Canada’s Transportation Safety Board is collecting evidence related to the incident and may launch a formal investigation.

Founded in 1986, Helijet provides scheduled passenger services, charters, air medical transports, and heliport services. It carries 100,000 passengers annually with its fleet of 15 aircraft including Sikorsky S-76 A, B, and C models. One-way fares for scheduled service begin at $165 USD per passenger. Flights average 20 to 40 minutes. In 2021, Blade Urban Air Mobility paid Helijet $12 million to secure exclusive rights to its scheduled passenger service and use its heliports.