Aircraft Went Down In The Water Near A Fishing Camp In Ottawa, Canada

The pilot of a helicopter arriving at his brother's fishing camp about 50 miles northwest of Ottawa, Canada found himself in the cold water of a lake when the aircraft went down for unknown reasons Sunday. Fortunately, his brother was watching, hoping to photograph the landing, and paddled out in his kayak to rescue the pilot.

The pilot was identified as Bruno Piche of Laval, Quebec. The camp is owned by his brother, Richard, who said Bruno was able to free himself from the sinking aircraft about a mile from shore. Richard got his brother aboard the kayak and paddled to shore, where Bruno was transported to a local hospital.

The pilot suffered only minor injuries, according to a report appearing in the Edmonton Sun. Richard told first responders from the Sûreté du Québec that his brother had said "the sun blinded him."

Aviation accidents in Canada are investigated by the Canadian Transportation Safety Board. It also investigates occurrences anywhere in the world that involved an aircraft in respect of which or that was operated by a person to whom a Canadian aviation document had been issued under Part I of the Aeronautics Act.

FMI: www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/aviation/index.asp