WOODFIBRE LNG: Enbridge steps in to support Squamish project PAGE 9
$1.50
inc. GST
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2022
BOWEN ART SCENE
VOL. 48 NO. 28
BIUndercurrent
BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com
Exhibit & workshops PAGE 6
Severe turbulence caused helicopter crash on Bowen THE BELL 212 WENT DOWN OVER HOWE SOUND MARCH 5, 2021
BRONWYN BEAIRSTO Coast Reporter
TOURNEY TIME: The Brewers - and all other teams - will be hoping to send plenty of dingers over the fence this week as play gets underway in the annual Fastpitch Tournament. Games begin Friday night and run through Sunday, with nightly entertainment at the Pub. See the Calendar on Page 8 for more./ Alex Kurial photo
New rules for detached suites ALEX KURIAL Editor Minimum lot size requirements for detached secondary suites are
officially a thing of the past on Bowen Island. The decision was made at council’s July 25 meeting; the group’s final gathering before the summer break. The bylaw amendment
604.782.0609
means that – in theory – any property on the island can now build a detached secondary suite (DSS). Previously a property had to be at least 0.36 hectares to allow this. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
A 2021 helicopter crash on Bowen Island tha t left one Bell 212 totalled but that two local pilots miraculously survived, was caused by “environmental conditions” and helicopter “system limitations,” a Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) investigation found. The Sechelt-based Airspan Helicopters Ltd. aircraft was headed out to Cypress Provincial Park that day – March 5, 2021 – where it was doing work for BC Hydro. There were no passengers on-board and the helicopter wasn’t carrying any load. The weather was “conducive to severe mechanical turbulence, lee waves and low-level wind shear along the helicopter’s flight path,” said the July 28, 2022, TSB release. The pilots were aware of the conditions but based on an improving forecast, desire to complete the flight and observation that other aircraft were operating out of the Sechelt airport, decided to continue, said the TSB. The flight lifted off from Sechelt Airport at about 9:35 a.m. Ten minutes later, cruising about two nautical miles away from Bowen, the helicopter entered a section of severe turbulence, which led to a loss of control and “excessive flapping of the main rotor blades,” said the release. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3