logo
  • News
    • Community
    • Local Government
    • Sports
    • Alberta Politics
    • Opinion
    • Deke
  • Events
  • Jasper Builds
  • Peaks & Valleys
    • Wildlife
    • Hiking and Climbing
    • Biking
    • Fishing
    • Snow Sports
  • Culture
    • Jasper Arts & Culture
    • Local Dining
    • Local Literature
  • Jasper History
  • Support
    • News
      • Community
      • Local Government
      • Sports
      • Alberta Politics
      • Opinion
      • Deke
    • Events
    • Jasper Builds
    • Peaks & Valleys
      • Wildlife
      • Hiking and Climbing
      • Biking
      • Fishing
      • Snow Sports
    • Culture
      • Jasper Arts & Culture
      • Local Dining
      • Local Literature
    • Jasper History
    • Support
Helicopter sustains “incredible” damage after accident on Columbia Icefields
Community, Environment, Generic, News
By Bob Covey
Monday, April 24, 2023
Helicopter sustains “incredible” damage after accident on Columbia Icefields

A helicopter transporting Natural Resources Canada glacier surveyors had a hard landing on an icefield in Banff National Park April 14.

The accident left a Bell 407 helicopter in pieces, 3,000 metres above sea level, 3 km from the Saskatchewan Glacier. 

A helicopter sustained substantial damage after an accident on the Saskatchewan Glacier, in Banff National Park, on April 14. // Supplied

On Friday, April 14 at 3:35 p.m. Parks Canada dispatchers received a call that a helicopter had been involved in a hard landing near the Saskatchewan Glacier.

Parks Canada was able to contact the party by satellite phone and determine that all members were uninjured and that they were in a safe location and equipped to shelter in place on the glacier. Parks Canada contacted the aircraft operator by phone to inform them of the incident. A second helicopter was dispatched and on scene by 4:55 p.m., according to a spokesperson.

John Niddrie, a retired Parks Canada employee volunteering on the NRC’s snow measurement survey and who was a passenger in the helicopter that crashed, said poor visibility contributed to the accident.

“The pilot made a circle and when we dropped down the light…visibility definitely got flatter and became worse from flying snow from the rotor wash,” Niddrie said. 

“It happened quick—and we hit with a thud, nose first…the helicopter immediately flipped over onto its side.”


Advertisement inquires: andrea@ravencommunitymedia.com

The machine, owned by Alpine Helicopters Inc, was flying from Golden, B.C. and was contracted by the Department of Natural Resources Canada (DNRC) to conduct climate change geoscience field work.

Niddrie said after impact, the passengers and the pilot were shaken, but unhurt.

“We all seemed okay, I just knew we needed to get out ASAP, with the smell of aviation fuel, etc. which we all did.”

A helicopter attempting to land in poor visibility on the Saskatchewan Glacier sustained significant damage after it rolled onto its side but its pilot and passengers were uninjured. // Supplied

A second helicopter was dispatched to assist and evacuate, but as it turned out, only the pilot caught the flight home. After assessing their situation and communicating with dispatchers, the surveyors elected to continue with their climate change geoscience field work.

Despite the accident, glacier surveyors with the Department of National Resources Canada were able to access their packs and skis and elected to continue with their mission to conduct geoscience field work on the Columbia Icefields April 14. // Supplied

As weather improved, the team of three was shuttled further up onto the Columbia Icefields to their intended study plots, below Mount SnowDome—considered one of two hydrological apexes of the North American continent. 




“We were extremely lucky no one was seriously hurt,” Niddrie said. “The damage to the 407 was incredible, but the cabin stayed intact and no parts smashed through the windows.”

Despite the helicopter accident, researchers with the Department of Natural Resources Canada continued with their climate change geoscience field work on the Columbia Icefields April 14. // Supplied
DNRC researchers measuring snow height and density and collecting samples from various snow depths on the Columbia Icefields. // Supplied

The aircraft operator returned to the site on Tuesday, April 18, to begin initial cleanup of the area and plan for the removal of the damaged helicopter. Some contaminated material was bagged for removal, but cleanup work was stopped due to inclement weather, according to Parks Canada.


Advertisement

Parks Canada and the aircraft operator will return to the site on the week of April 24 in order to finalize cleanup of the spilled fuel and to remove the damaged helicopter, a spokesperson said.

At 13 km long and 30 km-square, the Saskatchewan Glacier is the largest outflow glacier from the Columbia Icefield, which rests along the Continental Divide. // Jo Nadeau
Saskatchewan Glacier, the headwaters of the Saskatchewan River, which flows to Lake Winnipeg, as seen in the summer. // Jo Nadeau

Alpine Helicopters Inc, which operates sightseeing flights over the Canadian Rockies as well as commercial and charter helicopter services, according to their website, did not return calls for comment.


Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Articles You May LIke ›
No criminal charges in Ice Explorer accident: RCMP
Business
No criminal charges in Ice Explorer accident: RCMP
Bob Covey 
Friday, December 9, 2022
RCMP have determined that criminal charges are not warranted in the 2020 Columbia Icefields Ice Explorer rollover that killed three people.  Jasper RC...
this is a test
Most Read ›
Trail tech: The next generation
Biking
Trail tech: The next generation
Georgia Ristivojevic 
Monday, June 30, 2025
Rugged roads and twisting trails await those who seek. Thanks to its history of trail use by outfitters and recreationalists, Jasper has established i...
this is a test
Finding their bearings: How bears use habitat
Environment
Finding their bearings: How bears use habitat
Mark Bradley 
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Dry grass crunched underfoot as the old grizzly searched for food. Her nostrils flared and her nose twitched as she tested her surroundings for anythi...
this is a test
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Arts & Culture
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Jasperites donned their red and white, kitted out their floats and paraded around the community with pride on Canada Day (Tuesday, July 1). Local busi...
this is a test
Aussie folk artist topping live music event at JPP
Arts & Culture
Aussie folk artist topping live music event at JPP
Sophie Pfisterer, freelance contributor 
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
One of Jasper’s most popular restaurants will soon be dishing up live music and good vibes. On July 4 at 8:30 p.m., Jasper Pizza Place will host a roo...
this is a test
Latest ›
CONGRATULATIONS Class of 2025
Community
CONGRATULATIONS Class of 2025
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Congratulations to the 2025 graduates of Jasper Jr/Sr High School and École Desrochers! These bright young individuals are now stepping confidently in...
this is a test
Meet the locals: Fran Jones
Community
Meet the locals: Fran Jones
Georgia Ristivojevic 
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
While Jasper's mountains, rivers and lakes get plenty of (deserved) air time, it's the people who live here that make the community welcoming and incl...
this is a test
Tearful goodbye planned for beloved family
Community
Tearful goodbye planned for beloved family
Bob Covey 
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
A beloved family is saying goodbye to Jasper, and their friends are throwing a bittersweet going-away party. “There will be a lot of tears,” said orga...
this is a test
Jasper’s two gas stations are swamped, council hears
Business
Jasper’s two gas stations are swamped, council hears
Peter Shokeir, Local Journalism Initiative, Jasper Fitzhugh 
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Trafficcongestion is becoming a growing issue at the town’s two remaining gas stations, according to a letter sent to Jasper Municipal Council. Mayor ...
this is a test

NEXT ARTICLE

Bear destroyed after dog mauling incident

Community, Environment, Generic, News

Most Read ›
Trail tech: The next generation
Biking
Trail tech: The next generation
Georgia Ristivojevic 
Monday, June 30, 2025
Rugged roads and twisting trails await those who seek. Thanks to its history of trail use by outfitters and recreationalists, Jasper has established i...
this is a test
Finding their bearings: How bears use habitat
Environment
Finding their bearings: How bears use habitat
Mark Bradley 
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Dry grass crunched underfoot as the old grizzly searched for food. Her nostrils flared and her nose twitched as she tested her surroundings for anythi...
this is a test
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Arts & Culture
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Jasperites donned their red and white, kitted out their floats and paraded around the community with pride on Canada Day (Tuesday, July 1). Local busi...
this is a test
Aussie folk artist topping live music event at JPP
Arts & Culture
Aussie folk artist topping live music event at JPP
Sophie Pfisterer, freelance contributor 
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
One of Jasper’s most popular restaurants will soon be dishing up live music and good vibes. On July 4 at 8:30 p.m., Jasper Pizza Place will host a roo...
this is a test
Latest ›
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Arts & Culture
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Jasperites donned their red and white, kitted out their floats and paraded around the community with pride on Canada Day (Tuesday, July 1). Local busi...
this is a test
Aussie folk artist topping live music event at JPP
Arts & Culture
Aussie folk artist topping live music event at JPP
Sophie Pfisterer, freelance contributor 
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
One of Jasper’s most popular restaurants will soon be dishing up live music and good vibes. On July 4 at 8:30 p.m., Jasper Pizza Place will host a roo...
this is a test
Trail tech: The next generation
Biking
Trail tech: The next generation
Georgia Ristivojevic 
Monday, June 30, 2025
Rugged roads and twisting trails await those who seek. Thanks to its history of trail use by outfitters and recreationalists, Jasper has established i...
this is a test
Introducing Linwood Homes
Featured Builders
Introducing Linwood Homes
Saturday, June 28, 2025
How long have you been in business? Linwood Homes was founded i n 1968 in Alberta. Our business is over 55 years old. How many homes have you built? W...
this is a test
This site complies with Jasper requirements
Contact us
Privacy Policy
Advertise With Us
About The Jasper Local
Accessibility Policy
Support

Follow Us

Advertise with us

Measurable, targeted, local. Email example@thejasperlocal.com

ePaper
coogle_play
app_store

© Copyright The Jasper Local