Aerospatiale AS350 C-GTNV

Summary

On 31 March 2019 at about 22:59 local time, a Aerospatiale AS350 registered C-GTNV, operated by Trans North Turbo Air Limited, was involved in an accident near Coldfoot, 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

31 March 2019 at 22:59

Classification

Accident

Location

Coldfoot, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

67.2139, -149.8106

Aircraft

Aerospatiale AS350

Registration

C-GTNV

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1982

Engines

1

Operator

Trans North Turbo Air Limited

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Coldfoot → Coldfoot

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA19CA252

Nobody was injured.

The gunner’s improper net gun firing, which resulted in a net weight impacting the rotor blades.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The chief pilot reported that the helicopter pilot told him that, while attempting to net a calf during a caribou capture flight, he got within shooting range for the net gun, but the calf suddenly "broke right." He then turned the helicopter to follow the calf, and while turning, the pilot thought the shot would not be possible and that he should set up for another run, but the gunner fired. The pilot heard a "bang," followed by a strong vibration. The pilot landed the helicopter without further incident. The pilot reported that postaccident examination revealed that one of the main rotor blades had sustained substantial damage, which he assumed was from a net weight. The chief 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.