An inquest into the crash of a helicopter in Tweed that led to the death of four Hydro One workers has concluded with 16 recommendations.
Of the 16 recommendations, 13 were for Transport Canada while the other three were for Hydro One.
On December 14, 2017, four Hydro One workers were performing routine maintenance on a hydro line and a transmission tower when their helicopter went down.
Thirty-nine-year-old James Barager, 27-year-old Kyle Shorrock, 26-year-old Jeffrey Howes and 26-year-old Darcy Jansen were killed in the crash.
An investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada concluded that a security bag was improperly placed on the outside of the plane, came loose and hit the tail rotor of the helicopter.
Two of the three passenger seatbelts were also found to not be fastened.
The recommendations by jurors with the inquest included a recommendation for Transport Canada to make an amendment to a section of the Canadian Aviation Regulations to have approval required before any equipment is installed on the outside of a helicopter.
Other recommendations for Transport Canada include safety inspectors, engineers, air operators and managers needing to be better informed on equipment modifications and activities needing approval, as well as enhancing safety inspections.
This would include increasing onsite inspections, more proactive and unannounced inspections and training sessions put on by air operators.
For Hydro One, recommendations included a mandatory viewing of a 30-minute helicopter safety video for any Hydro One employee flying a helicopter. The video would be reviewed every year by air operators or after long inactive periods.
Recommendations also include having Hydro One periodically look at its policy and procedures.
