Bell 206B N306FW

Summary

On 7 September 2024 at about 17:24 local time, a Bell 206B registered N306FW, operated by Egli Air Haul Inc, was involved in an accident near King Salmon, Alaska, United States. 5 people were on board and one died, 4 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 2024 at 17:24

Classification

Accident

Location

King Salmon, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

58.6591, -156.6466

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N306FW

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1986

Engines

1

Operator

Egli Air Haul Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

King Slamon → Nakalilok Bay

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC24FA089

1 person died.

The pilot’s decision to initiate the visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation, failure to maintain helicopter control and subsequent impact with water.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial, instrument-rated pilot was departing under special visual flight rules clearance in instrument meteorological conditions. Shortly after takeoff the pilot encountered a dense fog bank while flying over the calm water of a river. He stated he attempted to turn around, but he lost his visual reference with the river. The pilot stated he then attempted to climb but became disoriented and a few seconds later the helicopter impacted the water. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.