Eurocopter AS-350 B2 ECUREUIL N189EH

Summary

On 11 March 2001 at about 17:00 local time, a Eurocopter AS-350 B2 ECUREUIL registered N189EH was involved in an accident near Mazama, Washington, United States. 6 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 March 2001 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Mazama, Washington, United States

Coordinates

48.5900, -120.3895

Aircraft

Eurocopter AS-350 B2 ECUREUIL

Registration

N189EH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mazama → Mazama

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA01LA061

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Snow covered terrain, high and variable wind conditions, and failure of attaining the proper touchdown point were factors.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot approached the remote snow covered mountain site into the wind. During the descent at about 50 feet, the wind increased and shifted. The helicopter began to descend rapidly, and the pilot increased power in an attempt to arrest the rate of descent. Shortly thereafter, the low rotor rpm horn sounded and the helicopter touched down just past the normal landing site with sufficient force and forward speed to prevent him from holding it on the landing site. The pilot applied forward cyclic in an attempt to prevent the helicopter from falling off a 30 foot drop. Due to the low rotor rpm and the inability to maintain altitude, the pilot elected to land the helicopter in a large open snowfield. During the landing, the helicopter settled in the snow and the main rotors contacted the ground. The helicopter subsequently rolled over. The weather at the accident site was reported as high overcast. The wind direction was not indicated, however, the wind velocity was reported at 15-20 knots. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were reported.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.