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Massive Antonov cargo plane delivers Sikorsky helicopter to Iqaluit

Massive Antonov cargo plane delivers Sikorsky helicopter to Iqaluit

A Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane heavy-lift helicopter is expected fly in equipment needed restore full power to Pangnirtung, says the community's senior administrative officer.

The helicopter arrived in Iqaluit Monday night in the payload of an Antonov 124 cargo aircraft.

"That helicopter is going to be used to fly in heavy equipment such as generators over the next few days, weather depending," he said.

Crews are now working to put the helicopter together.

The weather in both Pangnirtung and Iqaluit was not safe for flying today Tuesday, but the helicopter could start flying by Wednesday, Trepanier said.

It will carry at least four loads with one or two flights a day.

Until then, the hamlet is still running on back-up generators. Trepanier said there is no definitive timeline until the hamlet is off emergency power and back on a more stable source.

The community has been in a state of emergency since a fire damaged the hamlet's power plant earlier this month.