R-22 Crash in southern Ontario

[rotornut]

Toronto's Breaking News - GTA Headlines - CP24 (http://www.cp24.com/)

One person is dead and a second is in hospital after a small helicopter crashed just east of Kitchener-Waterloo late Monday morning, EMS officials tell CP24.

Authorities haven't released any information about the crash victims, but the person who died is believed to be a woman.

The second person, believed to be a man, was transported to Grand River Hospital in Waterloo and is being airlifted to a trauma centre in Hamilton.

Two people were on board the aircraft when it crashed into a retaining pond at Region of Waterloo International Airport at about 11:30 a.m., said John Perno, director of Waterloo Region EMS.

The helicopter was partially submerged in water after it went down near some hangars, but the occupants weren't trapped in the aircraft, Perno said.

In an interview with CP24, Waterloo Regional Police spokesman Olaf Heinzel described the crash site as "a swampy area."

There are unconfirmed reports the helicopter crashed into trees and power lines.

The helicopter, a Robinson R22, was owned by Great Lakes Helicopter, a training school and charter service that operates out of the airport.

Great Lakes Helicopter refused to comment on the crash.

The Transportation Safety Board has been called in to investigate the cause of the crash.

[Savoia]

Great Lakes loses great friend


Great Lakes Helicopter has identified the flight instructor killed in Monday's helicopter crash near Breslau.

http://media.greenradio.topscms.com/images/6c/d7/a2928bc144cc8f483dfa36588773.jpg (http://media.greenradio.topscms.com/images/45/5f/95c8a6094dcb86f6d81fab12ff5e.jpg)
Flight Instructor Tiffany Hanna

A statement released by the firm on Tuesday afternoon reads:

“We are saddened and shocked by the loss of flight instructor Tiffany Hanna who did not survive the accident,” said Jo Anne Leyburne, General Manager of Great Lakes Helicopter. “Tiffany was more than just an employee, she was a great friend and confidante. We have all lost a dear member of the Great Lakes family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all families and friends at this difficult time.”

Ewan Tasker, a Regional Senior Investigator with the Transportation Safety Board says the helicopter had taken off, when just minutes into flight, it crashed hard into a storm water pond on the airport's property, "After reaching an approximate altitude of 300 feet, on departure, they encountered some sort of problem. We're unsure exactly as to what yet. And shortly thereafter, the aircraft descended and landed very hard in a swamp area."

Tasker adds, they're not sure who was in charge of the chopper when it went down, "The purpose of being a student of course is to learn to fly the helicopter, so that individual was in charge, we believe, at least upon the early stages. If they do encounter some sort of problem, often the instructor will take over, so it's likely that may have happened, but we can't conclude anything at this time."

Great Lakes Helicopter mourning the loss of a "great friend" - 570News (http://www.570news.com/news/local/article/304553--great-lakes-helicopter-mourning-the-loss-of-a-great-friend)