Eurocopter AS 350B2 N301TH
27 July 2006 · Skagway, Alaska, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 27 July 2006 at about 15:55 local time, a Eurocopter AS 350B2 registered N301TH was involved in an accident near Skagway, Alaska, United States. 6 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 15:55
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Skagway, Alaska, United States
- Coordinates
- 59.5528, -135.1228
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter AS 350B2
- Registration
- N301TH
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Skagway → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ANC06LA100
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while hovering, which resulted in a main rotor strike with trees, an uncontrolled descent, and a collision with terrain.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The commercial certificated pilot was landing a helicopter on a remote wooden platform/helipad during a Title 14, CFR Part 135 sightseeing flight. While at a hover, as the pilot began a pedal turn to position the helicopter over the helipad, the helicopter drifted left. The main rotor struck a tree, the helicopter descended, collided with the ground, and rolled onto its right side.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Eurocopter AS-350B2 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Sep 2007 | Eurocopter AS-350B2 | Greenville, South Carolina, United States | Omniflight Helicopters Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 11 Nov 2000 | Eurocopter AS-350B2 | Girdwood, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Aug 2006 | Eurocopter France AS350 B2 | Nuiqsut, Alaska, United States | Prism Helicopters Ltd | Fatal | 1 |
| 1 Mar 2006 | Douglas DC-3 | Beluga, Alaska, United States | Transnorthern Aviation Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 8 Jul 2006 | Piper PA-31 | Fairbanks, Alaska, United States | Everts Air Alaska | No injuries | - |
| 19 Aug 2006 | Piper PA-16 | Chugiak, Alaska, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 9 May 2006 | Lanford ANTARES MA-33 | Trapper Creek, Alaska, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 14 Dec 2006 | Piper PA-32-301 | Port Heiden, Alaska, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |