Helicopter hit power line before fatal crash: report

The Transportation Safety Board has concluded that an ultralight helicopter struck a power line before crashing in southern Alberta in July, killing one person.

The privately operated, amateur-built Mosquito XE helicopter was flying near Indus/Winters Aire Park Airport, in Rocky View County, when the crash occurred on July 15.

While flying along the Highwood River, the helicopter struck a power line about 23 metres above ground level, causing it to crash onto the river bank.

The pilot was identified at the time by colleagues and friends as John Uptigrove, an engineer who designed the original Mosquito Air helicopter.

His business partner, Dwight Junkin, said Uptigrove was a big proponent of flying and described him as a good and honest man.

Junkin, of Florida-based Composite FX, and Uptigrove, through his company Innovator Technologies, began collaborating on other helicopter models in 2000.

According to an obituary, Uptigrove left behind a wife and two children. He grew up in Three Hills, about 130 kilometres northeast of Calgary, and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Calgary in 1987.

“John pursued his passion for helicopters by establishing his business, Innovator Technologies, designing and manufacturing ultralight helicopters,” the obituary stated. “He was constantly part of new and upcoming innovative programs to launch technology to the furthest.”

RCMP said at the time that people fishing along the river saw the crash happen at about 5:40 p.m. and called 911.