On January 1, 2021, a Robinson R44 helicopter with four members of one family crashed in northern Alberta, Canada, killing everyone on board. Wade Balisky, 45, his wife, Aubrey Balisky, 37, and two of the couple’s children, Jewel and Fleur, were identified as the victims of the R44 crash in Alberta.
According to media reports, the Robinson R44 sent out an emergency signal at around 8:50 p.m. local time. When emergency responders reached the scene, they found the downed aircraft in a farmer’s field near the intersection of Range Road 10 and Township Road 771 in the Birch County area. The four members of the Balisky family were pronounced dead at the scene.
Wade Balisky, the owner of the helicopter, ran a farm in the Grand Prairie area. His wife Aubrey was a photographer. Eight-year-old Jewel and two-year-old Fleur were two of the Balisky’s five children. The surviving children are 16, 14, and 12 years of age, according to media reporting. The family resided in DeBolt, Alta.
Grand Prairie – Mackenzie MP Christopher Warkentin, who was Aubrey’s cousin, said he was very close with his cousin and knew Wade well. According to Warkentin, Wade was an “experienced pilot.”
What Caused the Fatal Robinson Helicopter Crash in Alberta?
Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB) sent investigators to the site to document and gather information on the crash. While the cause of the Alberta helicopter crash on New Year’s Day may not be known for some time, aviation attorneys from the law firm of Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman are following developments in the investigation as Robinson helicopters have a checkered safety history.
Robinson makes three helicopter models – the R22, R44, and R66. These models have been involved in more than 1,500 crashes and caused more than 700 deaths. All three models share many of the same design characteristics and are especially susceptible to mechanical defects, according to lawsuits filed against Robinson.
The law firm of Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman has litigated cases involving catastrophic mechanical failures, including mast bumping, in Robinson helicopters that alleged the rotor head and main rotor system are defectively designed. “It isn’t just that Robinson helicopters crash more than other manufacturers, it’s that the factors in these crashes are often similar and involve many of the same component parts,” says board-certified helicopter crash attorney Ronald L.M. Goldman.
“After far too many fatal crashes, Robinson has had ample opportunity to address design defects and improve the safety of its fleet. Tragically, the company continues to bury its head in the sand and blame pilots even when a system is a cause of a tragic crash.”
Robinson Helicopter Crash Attorneys with Track Record of Case Wins
If you or someone you know was harmed in a Robinson helicopter crash, the aviation accident attorneys at Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman can help. Our firm has litigated Robinson helicopter crash cases on behalf of dozens of victims. We know what it takes to secure justice and compensation against major helicopter manufacturers, including Robinson.
Contact us today at (855) 948-5098 to get started with a free consultation.
