Accidents
Helijet Lightning Strike Worse Than Initially Reported
S-76 landed safely after being substantially damaged

Last month’s lightning strike on a Helijet Sikorsky S-76 caused more damage and was more dangerous than first reported, according to preliminary information recently released yesterday by Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB).

Initial reports indicated the strike caused the temporary loss of aircraft instrumentation, an uncontrolled descent that was recovered, the loss of two of the four tail rotor blades, and damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. However, a post-landing inspection revealed impact damage on the main rotor blades and the left engine cowl as well. The TSB characterized the damage as substantial.

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