# Accident 20020626016759A: Snias AS350B2, AK, June 26, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 26, 2002, 12:30 local time
- Place: AK
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: ERAA
- Location: 61.2096° N, 149.2492° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2096&lon=-149.2492&mi=10
- Aircraft: N197EH, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N197EH-2003-03-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Eurocopter AS 350 B2 (registry code 8680950, https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Turbomeca ARRIEL-1SER (registry code 60030, https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1ser) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SNIAS AS350B2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC02LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA068) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020626016759A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF UP SLOPE FROM A GLACIER, THE PILOT REALIZED TOO LATE THAT THE RIGHT SKID WAS NOT BREAKING FREE FROM THE ICY SURFACE. HE ATTEMPTED TO REDUCE THE COLLECTIVE AND APPLY CYCLIC WHEN THE RIGHT SKID BROKE FREE. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED LEFT CONTACTING THE LEFT SKID AND THE ROTOR BLADES WITH THE ICE, PITCHING THE HELICOPTER FORWARD UPSIDE DOWN AND COMING TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE IN AN INVERTED ATTITUDE. THE WINDS WERE VARIABLE AT THE TIME UP TO 20 KNOTS. THE PILOT BELIEVES THE WINDS AT TAKEOFF WERE OFF THE NOSE AT THE 10 O'CLOCK POSITION. THE PILOT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND ASSISTED PASSENGERS OUT OF THE HELICOPTER.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC02LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA068), Jun 26, 2002: Eurocopter France AS-350-B2 (N197EH), Denali Park, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff, which resulted in dynamic rollover of the helicopter. A contributing factor was the frozen terrain.

## Other reports on N197EH (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19990317002439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990317002439A), Mar 17, 1999: Snias AS350B2 (N197EH), Girdwood, AK, Substantial damage. Era helicopters air taxi (Eurocopter AS350 B2 helicopter) crashed on landing and sustained substantial damage, the pilot/sole occupant sustained minor…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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