SANDY LAKE — An investigation is underway into the forced landing of a helicopter during a firefighting operation near Sandy Lake First Nation.
No one was seriously injured.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada reports the incident happened late Monday afternoon, and involved a Bell 205A-1 aircraft.
Shortly after scooping a load of water into its bucket from a lake, the aircraft's engine stopped producing power.
The pilot released the water load and was able to make a controlled descent without power into a shallow part of the lake.
The helicopter is owned by a commercial air operator contracted by the Ministry of Natural Resources to assist with fire suppression efforts on Red Lake sector fire number 12, which has burned an area of 177,000 hectares near Sandy Lake.
"The pilot was the sole occupant of the helicopter and was immediately taken for medical evaluation. It is our understanding that no serious injuries were sustained, and we are thankful that the pilot is safe," the ministry said Wednesday in a statement to Newswatch.
It said the MNR's aviation and safety experts are cooperating with Transport Canada and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada in an ongoing investigation.
The statement added that the ministry is thankful to its contracted aircraft carriers who play an important role in fighting wildland fires across Ontario.
"We remain committed to providing a safe work environment for our staff and our partners while working together during this period of heightened fire activity in Northwestern Ontario," it said.
At this point, the TSB is collecting information about the occurrence, but has no plans to deploy an investigator to the scene.
