The helicopter was taking off from an air base in Gold River about 7:30 a.m. when it suffered mechanical issues and crashed, said Nootka Sound RCMP Const. Peter Koutougos.
The 206 Bell Jet Ranger helicopter, operated by Black Tusk Helicopters, sustained extensive damage, Koutougos said.
The helicopter was about 12 metres above the ground when something prevented the pilot from climbing higher, said Bill Yearwood, senior air investigator with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
The helicopter crashed in a nearby parking lot. “The tail struck a fence and the aircraft landed hard but stayed right side up,” Yearwood said.
The pilot and passengers — who had been travelling to a worksite — suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.
TSB investigators are interviewing the pilot and passengers.
