By Canadian Press

Military prepares to pull crashed Chinook helicopter from Ottawa River

Jul 11, 2023 | 3:02 PM

OTTAWA — The Canadian Armed Forces says it plans to pull the Chinook helicopter that crashed into the Ottawa River last month out of the water starting today. 

Four Royal Canadian Air Force members were conducting a normal nighttime training exercise around midnight near the Petawawa military base on June 20 when the helicopter crashed into the water, killing two of the members on board and injuring two others. 

The bodies of the two pilots were recovered the next day after an extensive search, and the helicopter was later found at the bottom of the river. 

The military plans to raise the helicopter to the surface using a crane and tow it to shore, and says people who live in the area will see increased marine and shore activity in the coming days.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and while there was a recording device on board it’s not clear if it will be recovered from the wreckage. 

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The Canadian Armed Forces says they have removed small amounts of helicopter fuel from the water, but there is no evidence of environmental contamination along the riverbank or the beach. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 11, 2023.

The Canadian Press