One last episode in the history of Buttonville and EMS helicopter operations (I promise).
In my previous post I made mention of the transition from the Bell 212 to the Sikorsky S76. However, for about 3 years Buttonville was home an EMS BK117. It was the aircraft originally introduced to facilitate the retirement of the 212. It was put into service as the primary EMS helicopter around 1986(?) and the 212 was kept in service as a back up. A new hangar was constructed at Buttonville for the BK.
In January 1987 the BK crew responded from Buttonville to a fixed wing that had crashed into icy Lake Ontario.
Although the EMS helicopter was not equipped with a rescue hoist, nor were the crews trained for water rescue, they managed to rescue one passenger.
One of the medics exited the aircraft, grabbed the patient and draped him over the skid tube.
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The other news story about the BK and Buttonville was 2 years later.
January 1989. The crew landed back at Buttonville around 3am after completing a call. As was normal, the First Officer and both Paramedics headed into the base while the Captain completed the shutdown. Shortly after shutting down the second engine, he heard what he described as the 'whomp' sound your gas BBQ makes when it lights after a few tries.
That was the sound of aircraft fuel vapour being ignited by a static charge.
He was able to exit safely and called for the one Buttonville airport fire truck. By the time the truck arrived, the combination of jet fuel and medical oxygen had ignited magnesium airframe components and the aircraft was a total loss. No personnel were injured and no other property was damaged. Interesting to note it was the same Captain who flew the water rescue.
I don't have any photos of the BK at Buttonville, but here is one at the scene of an accident.
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Here is the BK117 on the roof of the Hospital for Sick Children.
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