Air Force Pauses Cyclone Helicopter Flights After Power Loss

Royal Canadian Air Force suspended flying across 12 Wing after a CH-148 Cyclone lost power during a lift-off in Vancouver on October 26.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Military

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single grey helicopter silhouette resting on an empty naval deck above dark harbour water, evoking a precautionary aviation safety pause. — The Royal Canadian Air Force paused flying its CH-148 Cyclone helicopter fleet after one aircraft lost power lifting off from HMCS Discovery in Vancouver on October 26. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Royal Canadian Air Force paused flying operations for the CH-148 Cyclone fleet after a helicopter lost power while lifting off from HMCS Discovery in Vancouver on October 26. The crew landed safely with no injuries, and flying resumed on October 29.

Why it matters

The precautionary pause affected the Cyclone fleet, which is central to Canada's maritime helicopter capability. The incident is being examined by the RCAF's Directorate of Flight Safety to determine whether it reflects a broader fleet issue.

The CH-148 fleet entered service in June 2018 under a November 2004 Sikorsky contract for 28 helicopters. The cause of the October 26 power loss remains under investigation by the Directorate of Flight Safety.

The players

Royal Canadian Air Force

The air arm of the Canadian Armed Forces responsible for the Cyclone fleet and the investigation through its Directorate of Flight Safety.

Sikorsky

The American helicopter manufacturer that built the CH-148 Cyclone and made structural design changes after tail boom cracking was found in 2021.

The details

A CH-148 Cyclone lifting off from HMCS Discovery in Coal Harbour, Vancouver, lost power on October 26, and its crew landed safely without injuries. A maintenance team from 443 Squadron was sent to examine the aircraft, while 12 Wing worked with RCAF experts, the Assistant Deputy Minister (Material) and Sikorsky to understand the incident.

June 2018: The CH-148 fleet entered service.
November 2004: Sikorsky was awarded a contract for 28 Cyclones.
2021: Cracking in some tail booms prompted structural design changes.
October 26: A Cyclone lost power during lift-off in Vancouver.
October 29: The flying suspension was lifted.

Roadmap

The incident lands on a program first contracted with Sikorsky in November 2004 for 28 Cyclones, whose tail booms required structural redesign after 2021 cracking. Full operational capability has still not been declared, and the final maritime patrol helicopter was not delivered until fall 2025.

Cyclone flights across 12 Wing, including 423 Squadron in Halifax and 443 Squadron at Patricia Bay near Victoria, B.C., were paused as a precaution and then resumed on October 29. The Air Force has not indicated any change to crew or passenger safety procedures beyond the pause itself.

The takeaway

The precautionary pause and quick return to flying suggest the Air Force judged the power loss to be an isolated event, though the Directorate of Flight Safety's findings will determine that. Readers tracking the program should watch for those results as the investigation concludes.