Recovering the aircraft involved weeks of careful planning — and even special government approval. The main concern for Buffalo Airways was the fast-approaching winter season. Once temperatures dipped below freezing, the aircraft would be frozen into the lake ice, making things infinitely more difficult. Two things had to happen before they could airlift the CL-215; they needed an exemption from Transport Canada to move the aircraft, which took a month to acquire. And the scooper’s weight had to be reduced enough to be lifted by the Chinook.
The CL-215 also had to be pulled out of the lake; its keel was full of water, which added a lot of weight — too much for the helicopter lift. It took three days, with six men taking turns to hand-crank the plane onto the lakeshore.
The CH-47 Chinook, operated by Montana’s Billings Flying Service, flew in October 30. (Imagine that phone call — you want us to what??) Mechanics from Buffalo and Billings flew in, and they were accompanied by the general manager of Alberta-based Airborne Energy Solutions; their team provided support and guidance on risk management for the operation.
“It was so bizarre to see such a big machine in remote little Mitchell Lake on Duck Island,” said Tessier. “They didn’t waste any time at all. Everything the pilot did was deliberate. He positioned himself in the wind, cable already dangling. We had a 50-foot extension cable going from the plane to where he hooked on. As soon as tension was there, it just went up. The Chinook didn’t budge, didn’t seem to struggle; there was no noticeable change in engine noise.”
The CL-215 took a 45-minute ride and was delivered to Buffalo’s main base at Yellowknife Airport. They say it will take a few months of repairs to return the CL-215 to serviceable condition, but they expect it will be ready in time for the 2024 fire season.
The full story by Lisa Gordon is well worth the read — it’s online at Vertical Magazine.
~ Thanks and a tip of the hardhat to Jim for this heads-up.