Robinson R44 N716JL

Summary

On 21 February 2020 at about 01:10 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N716JL, operated by Talkeetna Air Taxi Inc, was involved in an accident near Talkeetna, Alaska, United States. 3 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 February 2020 at 01:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Talkeetna, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Sheldon Chalet (09AA)

Coordinates

63.0489, -150.7706

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N716JL

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2004

Engines

1

Operator

Talkeetna Air Taxi Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Talkeetna → Talkeetna

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC20CA023

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from snow covered terrain during an en route descent in flat light conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was conducting a passenger flight from a high elevation mountain heliport to the company's base airport. While the passengers were loading at the heliport, the weather deteriorated to 2 statute miles visibility in light snow and the ceiling was about 1000 ft. After the takeoff, the pilot was descending over a glacier and the helicopter unexpectedly skipped on the snow-covered surface of the glacier and it settled into deep snow. The helicopter subsequently rolled onto the right side and the main rotor blades, main rotor transmission and tail boom sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.