- Date
- December 26, 2023, 10:49 local (19:49 UTC)
- Place
- Palmer, AK · Glacier
- Injuries
- 3 minor, 4 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Landing
- Aircraft
- N21FYAirbus Helicopters AS350B3
- Defining event
- Landing: Dynamic rollover
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Dawn
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class
- Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office
- Alaska Regional Office
- Parties
- FAA
- FAA report
- 20231226018759A
- Case key
- 193569
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain during the landing approach in flat light conditions.
Findings · 3
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot stated that while on approach to land at a remote, snow-covered glacial site, with flat light conditions present, he lost “positive” visual reference, but believed he was in a stable hover. Subsequently, the left landing gear skid contacted the snow-covered terrain, and the helicopter entered a dynamic rollover to the left, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and powertrain system. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N21FY
- Reported as
- Airbus Helicopters AS350B3
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 9116
- Built
- 2022
- Airframe hours
- 1,184.3
- Engine
- Safran ARRIEL 2D, 952 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business · Part 135
- Operator
- Alpha Aviation LLC
- Registered owner
- H125 Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · December 21, 2023
- Departed
- O3AN · Palmer, AK
- Flight plan
- Company VFR
- Equipment
- Data recorder, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Video recording device, Satellite tracking device, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 31
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificates
- Commercial, Flight instructor
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 2, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- February 13, 2023
- Seat
- Right
- Restraint
- 4-point
- Flight hours
- 2,785 total · 308 in this make and model · 2,699 as pilot in command · 74 in the last 90 days · 3 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Dawn
- Wind
- 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 1 °F, dew point -6 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.53 inHg
- Observed at
- PAAQ, 26 nm away
- METAR
- PAAQ 261953Z 33008KT 10SM CLR M17/M21 A2953 RMK AO2 SLP006 T11671206
Docket · 2
The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2024, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 3.0 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.