# NTSB ANC23LA071: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, N193AL, King Salmon, AK, September 5, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 4, 2023, 16:10 local (Sep 5, 2023, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: King Salmon, AK
- Coordinates: 58.945431, -155.56252
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.9454&lon=-155.5625&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Enroute: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250); [Enroute: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193005
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC23LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193005/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193005
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA071

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The failure of both pilots to see and avoid while en route, which resulted in a midair collision.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2808001), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2808001), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md)
- [Enroute: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Enroute: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=2808001), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

While en route to their respective destinations in visual meteorological conditions at an altitude about 1,000 ft, a float-equipped airplane and a helicopter collided midair. The airplane pilot had broadcast his position over a common traffic advisory frequency for the area. The helicopter pilot was monitoring the common traffic advisory frequency and was also monitoring automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B) data from other aircraft on a moving map display; however, the airplane was not ADS-B equipped. The airplane pilot did not see the helicopter in time to avoid the collision. The helicopter pilot never saw the airplane and was unaware that his helicopter had collided with the airplane until after the accident. As a result of the midair collision, the airplane sustained minor damage to the floats and propeller, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and drive train system.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 1)

On September 4, 2023, about 1610 Alaska daylight time, a DeHavilland DHC-2 float equipped-airplane, N97EL, and a Bell 206L-4 helicopter, N193AL, were involved in a midair collision near King Salmon, Alaska. The airplane sustained minor damage; the pilot and six passengers were not injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged; the pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand charter flight. The airplane departed from the Brooks River about 1600 and flew north to the mouth of the American Creek on a return flight to a lodge on Enchanted Lake. The pilot broadcast a position report over the common traffic advisory frequency while crossing over the mouth of the American Creek and proceeded to fly along the right side of the creek at an estimated altitude of 800 ft mean sea level (msl). About five miles past the reported position, the pilot noticed the passenger sitting next to him looking across the cockpit to the left with a startled look. The pilot looked left and saw a flash of white. He never saw the helicopter before impact. The airplane was traveling at about 90 miles per hour (mph). The airplane was not equipped with ADS-B, nor was it required. The helicopter departed from King Salmon Airport (PAKN) around 1600 en route to Homer, Alaska. The helicopter pilot reported that, after departure, he climbed the helicopter to about 1,000 ft above ground level (agl) and was flying direct to Homer Airport (PAHO). The helicopter was traveling about 115 mph. As the helicopter passed under the airplane, the airplane’s propeller made contact with the helicopter’s tail boom and tail rotor drive system, which severed the entire tail rotor gearbox assembly from the tail boom. The helicopter subsequently entered a spinning, uncontrolled descent into the tundra and tree-covered terrain below. The airplane began to shake and vibrate violently. The airplane pilot then realized that the airplane had collided with another aircraft and he turned the airplane 180°. The right seat passenger reported to the pilot that a helicopter had hit the airplane and he saw the tail of the helicopter separate and the helicopter crash. The airplane pilot broadcast the downed helicopter’s location over the common traffic advisory frequency and began to direct other aircraft in the area towards the helicopter wreckage. The airplane pilot then made an emergency landing in a nearby river. The airplane sustained minor damage to the floats and propeller. The helicopter pilot reported that he was monitoring the local traffic advisory frequency at the time of the accident. The helicopter was equipped with ADS-B in and out. The pilot was also using a Stratus that provided ADS-B data from other aircraft in the area on a moving map display on his tablet. He did not see any other aircraft along or near his route of flight onthe display. He added that he never saw the airplane and was unaware that his helicopter had collided with the airplane until after the accident. The nearest weather reporting station, located 34 nautical miles west of the accident site, reported 10 miles visibility with few clouds at 3,500 ft agl. Neither pilot reported any difficulty or restrictions with visibility.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N193AL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N193AL), registered now, S/N 52344, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA 206L-4
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-canada-206l-4) (registry code 1181455) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C30P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c30p) (registry code 54013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 52344
- Year built: 2006
- Airframe hours: 9677.1
- Engines: ROLLS-ROYC 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 135
- Operator: Maritime Helicopters
- Registered owner: Blade Leasing LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 3, 2023, 30 hours before
- Departed: PAKN, King Salmon, AK
- Destination: PAHO, Homer, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Satellite tracking device

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N97EL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97EL), registered now, S/N 1345, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND DHC-2
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-2) (registry code 2808001) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1345
- Year built: 1958
- Airframe hours: 19087.6
- Engines: P&W R-985 SERIES 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Alaskas Enchanted Lake Lodge Inc
- Registered owner: Alaskas Enchanted Lake Lodge Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 2023, 110 hours before
- Departed: NONE, Katmai National Park, AK
- Destination: none, Katmai National Park, AK
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N193AL; age 44; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 14, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,267 total, 435 in this make and model, 2,194 as pilot in command, 217 in the last 90 days, 79 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N97EL; age 67; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,100 total, 5,010 in this make and model, 6,100 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observed at: PAKN, 34 nm away
- METAR: PAKN 050054Z 26006KT 10SM FEW035 15/07 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP178 T01500072 $

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20230904010442A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230904010442A), Sep 4, 2023: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, King Salmon, AK, Substantial damage. Helicopter departed pakn at 3:55P on a course of 065* toward paho with current ATIS info (it was the first clear sky VFR day in several days). Rotor wing pilot…
- [Accident 20230904011272A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230904011272A), Sep 4, 2023: Dehavilland DHC-2, King Salmon, AK, Minor damage. Helicopter departed pakn at 3:55P on a course of 065* toward paho with current ATIS info (it was the first clear sky VFR day in several days). Rotor wing pilot…

## Docket (8 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193005. 7.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (N97EL) (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16261686&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA071%206120%20N97EL_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (N193AL) (item 2, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16261307&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA071%206120-1%20N193AL%20copy_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot interview - airplane (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16240063&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA071%20Pilot%20Interview%20Beaver-Rel.pdf
- Pilot interview - helicopter (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16239485&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA071%20Pilot%20interview%20helicopter%20-Rel.pdf
- Passenger interviews (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16239205&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA071%20Passenger%20interviews-Rel.pdf
- ADS-B helicopter (item 6, XLSX, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16240073&FileExtension=xlsx&FileName=20230904_A1735B_526521422_ADSB-Rel.xlsx
- Honeywell sky connect tracker data - helicopter (item 7, PDF, 4 pages, 709 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17409032&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA071%20Honeywell%20tracker-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 8, PDF, 8 pages, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16191703&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA071%20photo%20array-Rel.pdf

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.

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