Rotorwash Injures Pedestrian

[pelmet]

From TSB...

C-GSHJ, a Helijet International Incorporated S-76C++ helicopter departed the Vancouver/Harbour
Public Heliport (CBC7), BC, on flight HJ983, under visual flight rules, to Nanaimo Harbour Heliport
(CDH5), BC. The helicopter conducted a visual approach to the final approach and take off (FATO)
area and then hover taxied to Helipad B. During shutdown, the pilots were informed that a
pedestrian had been knocked over by the rotor downwash. The pedestrian had disembarked from
the Hullo Ferry and was walking from the terminal (300 feet north-northwest of the FATO) to the
parking lot (150 feet south of Helipad B). The walkway between the 2 points runs parallel to, and
between 10 and 20 feet from, the fence on the east side of the heliport; 60 to 70 feet east of the 2
helipads. Paramedics were called and the individual was taken to hospital to treat a serious injury.
Helijet is installing a new perimeter fence to mitigate the effects of rotor downwash.