The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 4 July 2023.
Main rotor blade failure in flight
Unregistered
RotorWay Exec (amateur-built helicopter)
Lefebvre, Quebec
The occurrence
On 29 November 2022, a privately registered amateur built Rotorway-type helicopter was conducting a local flight from a private property in the municipality of Lefebvre, Quebec, with only the pilot on board. While returning to its departure point, at approximately 200 feet above ground, the aircraft broke up and crashed in a ditch that separated two fields. The pilot received fatal injuries.
Media materials
News release
Investigation report: Fatal helicopter accident in Lefebvre, Quebec
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators following an accident involving an amateur-built helicopter in Lefebvre, Quebec
Dorval, Quebec 29 November 2022 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators following an accident involving an amateur-built helicopter that occurred earlier today in Lefebvre, Quebec. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence
Investigation information
A22Q0142
Main rotor blade failure in flight
Unregistered
RotorWay Exec (amateur-built helicopter)
Lefebvre, Quebec
Investigator-in-charge
Thierry Bélanger started his career as a structural technician at the Trenton Military base, where he worked on the Boeing 707 and Hercules, before moving to the Bagotville base where he worked on the CF18. In 1995, Thierry went to Air Canada, where one of his tasks was to work on the refurbishment of Northwest Airlines’ DC-9. In 1996, Thierry joined Bombardier where he held various positions, including those of specialist in the mechanical and avionics customer response centre for the Global Express program, as well as a technician, team leader, supervisor, inspector, preflight mechanic. Since 2006, Thierry has provided technical support, consisting mainly of troubleshooting on all systems of Bombardier business aircraft and more recently on the Airbus A220. Thierry was also part of the rapid response team (GO Team) for incident and accident investigations for the Airbus A220.
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Class of investigation
This is a class 4 investigation. These investigations are limited in scope, and while the final reports may contain limited analysis, they do not contain findings or recommendations. Class 4 investigations are generally completed within 220 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.