Low altitude and speed made it difficult for a helicopter pilot to see or avoid unmarked power lines spanning a river before a New Brunswick crash that killed a prominent Quebec singer and the pilot, a report says.
The Transportation Safety Board says the pilot was likely unaware of the power transmission cables spanning the Restigouche River and did not see them before the collision.
Pilot Frederick Decoste was flying with two passengers, Quebec singer Roberto “Bob” Bissonnette and Quebec Capitales baseball team president Michel Laplante.
The report released Wednesday says fatigue may have impacted the pilot’s decision-making abilities and performance, as he had limited opportunities to sleep prior to the flight.
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As well, a toxicological screening suggested marijuana use by Decoste, but could not determine impairment.
The privately operated Bell 206B helicopter was en route from Caraquet, N.B., to Saint-Nicolas, Que., on Sept. 4, 2016. It made a fuel stop in Charlo, N.B., and was headed to Riviere-du-Loup, Que., for a second fuel-up, when it crashed into the river near Flatlands.
Decoste and Bissonnette both died in the crash, but Laplante survived with non-life threatening injuries and was helped to shore by witnesses.
Bissonnette, a former Quebec Major Junior Hockey League player, later became a singer, recording comedic songs about hockey.
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The report says the owner of the single-engine, five-seat helicopter lent it to a business colleague to attend a function in Caraquet.
WATCH: 2 people dead after helicopter collides with power lines in New Brunswick
After the event, the three men returned to the hotel after 3 a.m. While the two passengers returned to their hotel rooms, the pilot sad he was not tired and remained in the hotel lobby drinking caffeinated beverages until about 5 a.m.
The trio went fishing the next morning, and departed for Saint-Nicolas in the afternoon.