A helicopter crash near Whitehorse has left one crew member dead. The incident is under investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB). 

The TSB issued a notice on May 3 that it was deploying investigators to Whitehorse in response to a helicopter crash that took place the previous day. 

A TSB spokesperson told the News on May 5 that the crash involved an Airbus AS350B which departed on a training flight from the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport on May 2 with two pilots on board. The crash took place about 10 kilometres east of the airport. Per the spokesperson, the helicopter was operated by Horizon Helicopters. 

鈥淚t is with deep sorrow that we can confirm that one of our helicopters was involved in an accident during a routine training flight on May 2,鈥� a May 4 post to the company鈥檚 Facebook page reads. 

The post confirms that the incident resulted in one fatality. 

鈥淥ur heartfelt condolences are extended to the family of the deceased. Out of respect for their privacy and in support of our team, we kindly ask for privacy during this difficult time,鈥� it reads. 

Additional information on the helicopter crash provided by the Yukon Coroner's Service states that the deceased is a 47-year-old pilot from Alberta.

According to the coroner's service, the aircraft had been in flight for about an hour prior to the crash. The incident was reported via emergency locator transmitters at 3:10 p.m. on May 2.  

The TSB was unable to provide a timeline on when its investigation might be complete. 

The Yukon RCMP was involved in the emergency response following the crash. The communications department of the Yukon RCMP division told the News that officers specializing in search and rescue and emergency medical response supported rescue efforts and the RCMP will continue to assist the TSB in its investigation. 

Contact Jim Elliot at jim.elliot@yukon-news.com