A tension torsion strap. That is the part that has been determined as the cause of the Fort Good Hope helicopter crash last week.
The investigation by the Transportation Safety Board has shown that the torsion strap was the crucial mechanical failure that resulted in the crash that tragically took the life of a wildland firefighter. The job of the torsion strap is to hold the rotor blade to the rotor hub of a helicopter, and provide crucial pitch movement of the rotor blade.
The helicopter took off around 1:30pm on June 28th to help conduct forest fire suppression. It was determined that shortly after takeoff, one of the main rotor blades separated from the rotor head, and the rotor head itself fell off as well. The helicopter then collided with the ground and caught fire.
Further examination on these parts is being conducted in Ottawa.
