New information has been released on the cause of a 2016 helicopter collision near Deception Mountain, B.C.
On Thursday, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released an investigation report that determined the collision was the result of a power fluctuation followed by the pilot's maneuvering.
On Sept. 2, 2016, at about 1:58 p.m., a pilot with Far West Helicopters was returning to a remote base camp located about 3.6 nautical miles south-southeast of Deception Mountain, at an elevation of about 4,100 feet (1,249 metres).
As the Bell 206B helicopter neared the base camp service pad, the pilot perceived a power fluctuation and applied a straight-in approach.
But the helicopter pitched upwards to an extreme high attitude and quickly began to descend, eventually hitting terrain near the service pad.
"There was a popping or banging sound, and several pieces of debris separated from the helicopter," stated the report.
Basecamp personnel witnessed the collision and called 9-1-1.
The pilot was seriously injured and evacuated by air ambulance, and the helicopter was still running but damaged.
The TSB was unable to determine the exact cause for the power fluctuation.
During the crash, the cockpit broke open and collapsed downward, exposing the pilot's head to potential impacts. Although the pilot was wearing the 4-point seat belt and shoulder harness, he was not wearing a helmet.
In the end, the pilot sustained severe injuries.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences.
