Question Period Note: HMCS Fredericton Helicopter accident

Can the Minister of National Defence provide an update on the investigation into the helicopter accident and recovery of the helicopter?

• The loss of members of the Canadian Armed Forces is devastating to their families and to our military community.
• I offer my sincere condolences to the families, friends and crewmates of the six brave heroes who lost their lives.
• Canadian Armed Forces personnel have been working with the United States Navy to locate the wreckage of the CH-148 Cyclone.
• On May 27, a combined Canadian and American search and recovery team located the remains of our fallen personnel and a piece of the fuselage.
• Our top priority is repatriating the remains of the fallen back to Canada -- with dignity and respect -- to give some measure of closure to their loved ones.
• We remain determined to understand what happened, and in this respect, recovering the helicopter is critical.
• The Canadian Armed Forces will continue to keep the families of the fallen informed of our plans throughout this process.G9

Responsible Principals: Canadian Joint Operations Command, Strategic Joint Staff, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force

QUICK FACTS

• Accident: On April 29, 2020, a Canadian Armed Forces CH-148 Cyclone operating from HMCS FREDERICTON was lost at sea while it was returning to ship following an exercise as part of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 in the Mediterranean.
• Six CAF members lost their lives in the accident:
  • Captain Brenden MacDonald
  • Captain Maxime Miron-Morin
  • Captain Kevin Hagen
  • Master Corporal Matthew Cousins
  • Sub-Lieutenant Matthew Pyke
  • Sub-Lieutenant Abbigail Cowbrough
• Ceremony: The Ramp ceremony took place on May 6, 2020, in Trenton.
• Ongoing Recovery Operations: The US Navy is assisting the CAF with the search and recovery for the helicopter, with specialised equipment and personnel.
• Investigation: A Flight Safety Investigation team is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this accident, and determining next steps. The flight data and voice recorders have been recovered, and are undergoing analysis in Ottawa.
• Implications for the Cyclone Fleet: As a result of this accident, an operational pause has been ordered for the CH-148 Cyclone fleet.
• Procurement of the Cyclone helicopter: A total of 28 Cyclones are being delivered following a blocking strategy, which consists of the gradual introduction of capabilities throughout five versions of the helicopters.
  • Contract Award: 2004
  • First Delivery: 6 Cyclones in 2015 
  • Deliveries to Date: 20 Cyclones
    • 6 Block One helicopters (offer a basic but increasing range of capabilities that allowed aircrew training and initial operational test and evaluation to start)
    • 14 Block Two helicopters (capable of the full spectrum of maritime warfare, search and rescue, and utility roles)
  • Project cost: $3.174B
    • Helicopter acquisition through Sikorsky: $1.9B
    • Initial set up of in-service support through Sikorsky: $588M
    • Modification of Royal Canadian Navy frigates, acquisition of communication equipment and project management: $686M. 
  • Project end: 2022