CH-113 Labrador

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The CH-113 Labrador was a twin-engine, twin-rotor, Canadian search and rescue (SAR) helicopter used in air-marine rescue operations from 1962 until 2004.

The Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Army first acquired the CH-113A Voyageur for use as a medium-lift transport helicopter in the 1960s, at the same time as the CH-147 Chinook was acquired as a heavy-lift transport helicopter.

Following the 1968 unification of the Canadian Forces, which saw the army and RCAF dissolved, the CH-46 Sea Knight model was selected to augment the medium-lift transport helicopter fleet, with the Voyageur fleet converted to Labrador specifications. The creation of Air Command (AIRCOM) in 1975 saw the Labrador fleet assigned to air-marine SAR duties.

The Labrador was fitted with a watertight hull for marine landings, a rescue hoist, 1,110 kilometer flying range, 5,000 kilogram cargo hook, emergency medical equipment and an 18 person passenger capacity. By the 1990s the heavy use and hostile weather conditions of air-marine rescue were taking their toll on the Labrador fleet, resulting in increased maintenance costs.

In 1992 it was announced that the Labradors were to be replaced by a version of the AgustaWestland EH101 to be called the CH-149 Chimo, with 15 on order. This was subsequently cancelled by a different government in 1993, resulting in cancellation penalties, as well as the prospect of another decade of service for the Labrador fleet.

In 1998 a CH-113 from CFB Greenwood tragically crashed on Quebec's Gaspe Peninsula while returning from a SAR mission, resulting in the deaths of all crewmembers onboard. It was very evident that the fleet required replacing, therefore the same government, under extraordinary political pressure, returned to the EH101 manufacturers and placed an order for 15 aircraft to be called the CH-149 Cormorant.

Delivery of the new aircraft began in 2003 and the last CH-113 was retired in 2004.