Eurocopter AS 350 B3 N351LG

Summary

On 30 January 2005 at about 02:56 local time, a Eurocopter AS 350 B3 registered N351LG was involved in an accident near Pilar, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 January 2005 at 02:56

Classification

Accident

Location

Pilar, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

36.2467, -105.8483

Aircraft

Eurocopter AS 350 B3

Registration

N351LG

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Espanola → Taos

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

DEN05LA053

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, and his improper use of night vision goggles (NVG). Contributing factors were the pilot's spatial disorientation, his self-induced pressure to return the helicopter to its home base, his lack of experience in the use of NVG's, his use of exterior lights on a dark night light, under overcast skies, and against snow-covered terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot was conducting a positioning flight in night visual meteorological conditions, wearing night vision goggles. He was following the road separating the place of departure and his destination. He could see the vehicle traffic and the surrounding terrain clearly. Approximately 15 minutes into the flight, he felt that something was wrong. The attitude indicator showed that the helicopter was in a 60-70 degree left descending turn. The altimeters and airspeed indicators showed the same trend. The pilot attempted to correct the flight attitude, but became disoriented. The helicopter impacted terrain and rolled onto its right side. A postimpact fire destroyed the helicopter.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.