Robinson R66 N7040P

Summary

On 19 June 2018 at about 18:45 local time, a Robinson R66 registered N7040P, operated by Ridgeline Aviation Inc., was involved in an accident near Cordova, Alaska, United States. 3 people were 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

19 June 2018 at 18:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Cordova, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

60.6750, -144.7419

Aircraft

Robinson R66

Registration

N7040P

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2012

Engines

1

Operator

Ridgeline Aviation Inc.

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cordova → Cordova

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA18CA366

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in impact with brush and a loss of helicopter control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that, after multiple attempts to find a suitable landing site on a mountain ridgetop, the tail rotor impacted brush during landing. The helicopter pivoted, the main rotor contacted a communications tower, and the helicopter then rotated 180° and rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the windscreen and main rotor mast. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.