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Yellowknife military helicopter accident cost $2.4 million

May 2, 2012, Yellowknife, N.W.T. – It has cost $2.4 million to repair power lines near Yellowknife after a military helicopter accidentally chopped them.

In February, a Griffon helicopter hit power lines near Yellowknife, knocking out power to the entire city for hours. The helicopter was part of the military's Arctic Ram training exercise.

The Northwest Territories Power Corporation had to run on backup diesel fuel for 10 days after the incident. The corporation tallied the costs of the damage and the repairs, including materials, salaries, and hiring a contractor.

Emanuel DaRosa, the company's president and CEO, said the military has been very cooperative.

"They've been in contact with myself and asked us basically to put the claim together. They've provided us with all the information to go through the process. Obviously they can't accept any liability at this point, but they've certainly pointed in the appropriate direction to have our claim processed," said DaRosa.

DaRosa said the company will bill the military in the coming weeks.

Military officials have indicated they are willing to pick up the cost if they are found to be at fault in the incident. The Department of National Defence has been conducting its own investigation.