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Transportation Safety Board investigating helicopter crash near Whitehorse

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is investigating a Friday helicopter crash near Whitehorse.

Crash occurred on Friday afternoon during Horizon Helicopters test flight

building with sign surrounded by chain-link fence
A helicopter operated by Horizon Helicopters crashed Friday, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada says. (Cheryl Kawaja/CBC)

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is investigating a Friday helicopter crash near Whitehorse.

The crash happened during a Horizon Helicopters test flight, around 3 p.m. Friday, TSB spokesperson Liam Macdonald said Saturday.

The helicopter, an Airbus AS350B model, had recently departed from the Whitehorse airport at the time of the crash, he said.

MacDonald confirmed two pilots were in the helicopter at the time of the crash, but did not say whether they were injured.

The Yukon RCMP told CBC News they were unable to share any information about the crash at this stage.

CBC News has also reached out to Horizon Helicopters and the Yukon Coroner's Service for more information on potential injuries or fatalities caused by the crash.

The TSB investigates any crashes or safety breaches for air, marine, or rail transportation in Canada.

MacDonald said two investigators with the agency would be arriving in Whitehorse on Saturday afternoon to assess the crash.

This initial assessment, which could take up to two weeks, will determine how in-depth the investigation will be, he said.