Pilot escapes with minor injuries after upside-down helicopter crash on frozen lake

The pilot of a helicopter was lifted to safety with minor injuries after a crash on a frozen lake near Happy Valley-Goose Bay last week.

On Wednesday, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Centre shared video of the crash in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The crash happened last Thursday, about 97 nautical miles, or 180 kilometres, north of Goose Bay, the post said.

The pilot survived with minor injuries and was airlifted to safety by members of the 103 Search and Rescue Squadron Gander.

The Bell 206LR helicopter belongs to Custom Helicopters, a company with operations in British Columbia, Manitoba and Nunavut. Custom Helicopters is also a sister company of Labrador transportation company Air Borealis.

The pilot — the lone occupant — was travelling between Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Nunavut, according to a statement from Joseph Galimberti, a spokesperson for the Exchange Income Corporation, Custom Helicopters' parent company.

The pilot was in good condition and has been released from medical care, Galimberti said.

Galimberti said cleanup of the crash site has already been completed and Custom Helicopters will co-operate in any investigation.

CBC News has asked the JRCC for more information about the incident.

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