Bell 206L-1 N1171

Summary

On 1 May 2013 at about 00:30 local time, a Bell 206L-1 registered N1171, operated by Pathfinder Aviation, was involved in an accident near Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska, 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

1 May 2013 at 00:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

68.1510, -151.7103

Aircraft

Bell 206L-1

Registration

N1171

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Pathfinder Aviation

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kuparik River → Umiat

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC13CA041

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control while hovering over an area of snow-covered terrain, in flat light conditions, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial helicopter pilot reported that while flying over an area of flat and featureless, snow-covered terrain, deteriorating weather conditions with low ceilings, light snow, and flat light conditions reduced his visibility, so he elected to make a precautionary landing to wait for improved visibility. He said that while attempting to land, blowing snow from the main rotor downwash reduced his ability to discern topographical features on the snow-covered terrain. During touchdown, the helicopter drifted to the left, the left skid struck the snow-covered terrain, and the helicopter rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the rotor system, tail boom, and fuselage. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.