Two October Incidents Underscore Ongoing Challenges for Canada’s Cyclone Helicopter Fleet

On the night of October 6, two main rotor blades struck the tail boom, severing multiple components, including the section 5 tail rotor drive shaft.

The Royal Canadian Navy’s CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopters faced two separate incidents in October 2026 that left one aircraft with very serious damage and briefly grounded the fleet, adding to longstanding concerns about the reliability of the shipborne platform used for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and search-and-rescue missions.

On the night of October 6, Cyclone CH148813 (callsign AVALANCHE), operating from the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ville de Québec in the Norwegian Sea as part of Operation REASSURANCE, suffered significant structural damage during a landing. The night flight involved multiple phases, with the mishap occurring in the final landing sequence. According to the Department of National Defence’s flight safety report, the ship’s flight deck motion was within established night-landing limits. The helicopter touched down in the Helicopter Hauldown and Rapid Securing Device (commonly known as the “Beartrap”) and was secured to the deck. During touchdown, however, two main rotor blades struck the tail boom, severing multiple components, including the section 5 tail rotor drive shaft.

The four crew members carried out an emergency engine shutdown and egress. There were no injuries, but the aircraft sustained very serious damage. As of the initial report issued in late October, investigators had not identified any technical issues with the helicopter; the ongoing inquiry is examining materiel and systems, environmental conditions, and human factors. HMCS Ville de Québec had been deployed since July supporting the NATO mission.

Three weeks later, on the afternoon of October 26, a second Cyclone experienced a loss of power during takeoff from the helipad at HMCS Discovery, a Royal Canadian Navy reserve unit in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour. The aircraft climbed briefly above nearby treetops before settling back onto the pad. The crew landed safely with no injuries. Video of the event circulated on Reddit, showing the power loss and recovery.

As a precaution, 12 Wing Shearwater—the Royal Canadian Air Force’s authority for maritime helicopter operations—temporarily suspended flying operations across the wing, affecting 423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron in Halifax and 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron at Patricia Bay near Victoria. A maintenance team from 443 Squadron examined the aircraft, and 12 Wing coordinated with RCAF experts, the Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel), and manufacturer Sikorsky. After further analysis, officials determined the power loss was not indicative of a fleet-wide problem. Flying operations resumed on October 29. The incident remains under investigation by the RCAF’s Directorate of Flight Safety.