Investigation finds debris killed Nunavut mine worker when helicopter rolled

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says a worker at a Nunavut gold mine was killed last year when a helicopter rolled outside the mine site.

The board’s investigation report says a pilot had tried to land the helicopter near the Agnico Eagle Hope Bay mine in September.

It says the pilot noticed the worker was crouching to look at the helicopter’s tail as it landed, so the pilot learned out the door to take a look and let go of the controls.

That’s when the helicopter started to roll and, although the pilot tried to regain control, it continued rolling.

The report says the pilot got out without being injured, but the worker was fatally wounded by rotor blade debris that broke off the helicopter when it rolled.

The investigation into the rollover is a class-four probe, meaning it does not contain findings or recommendations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 23, 2022.