'We just descended incredible amounts': Audio recording sheds light on Helijet flight struck by lightning
CTV
Audio recording of Helijet flight 705 appears to shed light on the flight team's heroic actions.
Audio recording of Helijet flight 705 appears to shed light on the flight team's heroic actions.
During a Tuesday morning flight from Vancouver to Victoria, the helicopter was believed to be struck by lightning over the Gulf Islands.
"Oh (expletive)," said the pilot, whose name has not been released by Helijet. "Okay, decouple. Decouple. Decouple."
According to a former pilot, this means the helicopter's electronics and autopilot were compromised.
"Probably it did not auto-disconnect, and what they were saying to each other was turn it off, that they were going to hand fly the helicopter," said Shawn Pruchnicki, an accident investigator and instructor at Ohio State University.
The pilot continues by declaring a 'PAN PAN', meaning 'possible assistance needed.'
"This is similar to mayday, but it's to a lesser level," said Pruchnicki.
