# NTSB ANC24LA009: Airbus Helicopters AS350B3, N21FY, Palmer, AK, December 26, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: December 26, 2023, 10:49 local (19:49 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK · Glacier
- Coordinates: 61.252209, -148.53131
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2522&lon=-148.5313&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193569
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193569/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193569
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA009

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain during the landing approach in flat light conditions.

## Findings

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

- [Light condition: flat light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md)

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS INC AS350B3
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 9116
- Year built: 2022
- Airframe hours: 1184.3
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 31; injuries: minor; 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

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Accident 20231226018759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231226018759A), Dec 26, 2023: Airbus Helicopters Inc AS350B3, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. On 26 December 2023 at approximately 1046 a AS350 helicopter with 6 passengers departed on a site seeing tour. The destination was a company approved landing…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193569. 3.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16553525&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA009%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 141 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16553761&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA009%20Investigative%20photographs-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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