McDonnell Douglas 369E N125KW

Summary

On 7 September 2021 at about 01:40 local time, a McDonnell Douglas 369E registered N125KW was involved in an accident near Delta Junction, Alaska, United States. 2 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

7 September 2021 at 01:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Delta Junction, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

63.9998, -144.7346

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas 369E

Registration

N125KW

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1989

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC21LA083

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s inability to maintain lateral control during the takeoff, which resulted in dynamic rollover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to utilize an unsuitable landing area for flight operations.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was transporting personnel from a remote helipad that was constructed of a plastic, floating dock. She was unaware that the helicopter’s right skid had slid under a portion of the plastic dock. As she raised the collective to depart, she felt the helicopter roll to the right, and she attempted to correct the lateral rolling motion by lowering the collective. The helicopter continued to roll and came to rest on its right side. Subsequently, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system.   The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.