MNR Helicopter Crash

[Bill Johnson]

I know that some of you probably heard this on the news Tuesday.  This is the latest information I've heard regarding this accident.


Preliminary Information about the helicopter accident near Sault Ste. Marie Ontario.

 MNR has been conducting aerial moose surveys north of Sault Ste. Marie from onboard a Ministry helicopter
 Yesterday morning, the MNR B2 helicopter, flown by Mike Maguire, chief helicopter pilot, landed at the Bushplane Museum helipad to pick up three Sault Ste. Marie District staff to continue moose surveys
 At 11:48 a.m., a radio call from Maguire was received, indicating his position and that he was attempting an emergency landing
 The helicopter went down about 80 km north of Sault Ste. Marie, near the ACR line at a siding called Mekatina
 Loggers working nearby saw the crash, raced to the scene and got a distress radio message out to ambulance services, which dispatched ground ambulances and Batchawana Fire and Rescue
 The OPP was notified, as was CFB Trenton, which just happened to have a Hercules preparing for takeoff at the Sault Ste. Marie airport
 The Hercules flew to the crash site and parachuted in two Search and Rescue technicians to render assistance
 MNR dispatched a Turbo Beaver from Sault Ste. Marie and a commercial helicopter from Wawa, as well as COs in four-wheel drive trucks
 We were later informed that none of the four on board the aircraft had survived
 The four MNR employees have been identified as Chief Helicopter Pilot Mike Maguire; Conservation Officer Walter Ceolin; Resource Technician Bruce Stubbs, and Resource Technician Chantelle Walkey
 The families and next-of-kin of have been notified
 
Naturally this incident is under investigation, it will probably be months before all the facts are known.

Bill

[DanG]

How sad it is, to hear that these four men lost their lives in a chopper crash. As a former military helicopter pilot, I lost a lot of friends in crashes. The saddest aspect of it is, that almost all of the incidents were unforgivably unnecessary. If all safety and training practices are followed, there is absolutely no excuse for anyone to be injured or killed in a helicopter.
I'll be very interested to learn the findings of the investigation team, on this one.

[Kevin]

I knew Wally but not the others.
Here are some photos of the crash ...

http://www.sootoday.com/content/news/full_story.asp?StoryNumber=1898

The story ...

http://www.sootoday.com/content/news/full_story.asp?StoryNumber=1922

[IndyIan]

Here's an article I found, I think its a great idea to set aside some land like this.


PREMIER EVES ANNOUNCES LIVING MEMORIAL TO
FOUR MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES EMPLOYEES

SAULT STE. MARIE -- Ernie Eves, Ontario's Premier, today announced plans to dedicate a new conservation reserve in memory of four Ministry of Natural Resources employees who died in a helicopter crash while conducting aerial moose surveys near Sault Ste. Marie earlier this year.

"I can't think of a more fitting tribute to these four outstanding public servants who were passionate about the outdoors and devoted to conserving our natural environment," Eves said.

The protected area would be called "Our Colleagues Conservation Reserve" to recognize conservation officer Walter Ceolin, chief pilot Mike Maguire and resource technicians Chantelle Walkey and Bruce Stubbs, who died on January 21, 2003.

Eves said that the government is now taking steps to begin the process of establishing the new conservation reserve northeast of Elliot Lake. The site includes about 100 hectares along the Boland River and contains a unique waterfall that Walter Ceolin wished to see protected.

Designation as a conservation reserve would give proper protection to the natural features of the area while allowing traditional recreation activities to continue.

"We are very pleased to honour the memory of these four dedicated public servants in this lasting way," said Eves. "By protecting this area, we hope to create a very special living legacy that will be enjoyed by residents and visitors to this part of Ontario for years to come."

[sawguy21]

This one hurts. I worked with Mike Maguire and his lovely wife Barb at Northern Mountain Helicopters in Prince George B.C. The NMR was supposed to be his ticket to retirement. Two great people.