Loughborough Inlet, Canada: Two people were killed and another was seriously injured after a Hughes 500 helicopter operating on a forestry mission crashed in British Columbia’s remote Central Coast on the morning of July 14, prompting a Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) investigation into the fatal accident.
The helicopter, operated by West Coast Helicopters, went down at approximately 6:15 a.m. local time in Loughborough Inlet, near Knight Inlet, a rugged coastal area located about 80 kilometres north of Campbell River on Vancouver Island. The aircraft was conducting forestry operations in support of CFMG, a forestry company working in the area.
According to West Coast Helicopters, three people were on board the aircraft: the pilot and two forestry personnel. The crash claimed the lives of the pilot and one member of the CFMG crew, while the third occupant survived and was rescued with serious injuries. The company has not disclosed what led to the helicopter coming down, and investigators have yet to determine the cause of the accident.
British Columbia Emergency Health Services said the surviving occupant was airlifted from the remote crash site by air ambulance. The injured survivor was first transported to Canadian Forces Base Comox before being transferred to hospital, where officials said the person remained in serious but stable condition.
West Coast Helicopters later identified its deceased pilot as Riley Browne, who had been flying with the company since 2021. In a statement shared on social media, the operator paid tribute to Browne, describing him as one of the company’s most valued pilots.
“He always had a smile on his face, eager to help. Riley started his flying career at WCH in 2021. He was one of the pillars of the company. We all loved him,” West Coast Helicopters said.
The company also extended condolences to Browne’s family, noting they are a well-known and close-knit family in the Port McNeill community.
“Our thoughts, condolences and prayers go out to Riley’s family… Rest in peace, Riley. You will not be forgotten,” the company added.
Several media outlets and the helicopter operator reported that the second person killed was Bobby Nowak, a member of the CFMG forestry crew. However, as of the latest official updates, CFMG has not publicly confirmed the identity of its employee or released a statement regarding the fatality.
The helicopter involved was identified by the operator as a Hughes 500, a light utility helicopter widely used in forestry, aerial survey, utility and remote-access operations because of its maneuverability and ability to operate in challenging terrain. Authorities have not yet released the aircraft’s registration, serial number or year of manufacture. Likewise, officials have not disclosed whether the helicopter suffered a mechanical failure, encountered adverse weather or experienced any other operational issues before the crash.
No eyewitness accounts describing the accident have been released publicly. Given the isolated nature of Loughborough Inlet, authorities have not indicated whether anyone on the ground observed the helicopter before it crashed. Investigators have also not disclosed whether distress calls were transmitted or whether flight tracking data captured the aircraft’s final moments.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has deployed a team of investigators to the crash site. According to the agency, investigators arrived at the location to document the wreckage, gather evidence and assess the occurrence before determining the scope of the investigation. The TSB has not released any preliminary findings, and no probable cause has been identified.
Investigators are expected to examine the helicopter’s maintenance records, operational history, weather conditions, pilot qualifications and any available technical evidence as part of the investigation. As with other TSB investigations, a final report could take several months before the agency determines the factors that led to the crash.
