# NTSB ANC95LA062: Aerospatiale AS-350-B2, N60618, Skagway, AK, May 31, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 1995, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Skagway, AK - Coordinates: 59.570594, -135.349609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.5706&lon=-135.3496&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 7 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2655 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2655/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA062 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE UNEVEN AND ICY TERRAIN. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, standing - engine(s) not operating - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PASSENGERS AND THE PILOT BOARDED THE HELICOPTER, WHICH WAS PARKED ON THE FEREBEE GLACIER'S SURFACE. AFTER EVERYONE WAS STRAPPED INTO THEIR SEATS, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN SLIDING FORWARD ON THE ICE AND GAINING SPEED. THE PILOT STATED THE SPEED DID NOT EXCEED A BRISK WALK. THE HELICOPTER TURNED LEFT AS IT WAS SLIDING AND THE NOSE OF THE HELICOPTER ROLLED INTO A DEPRESSION. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE. THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING AND THE ROTORS WERE NOT TURNING. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 1995, at 1030 Alaska daylight time, a skid equipped helicopter, Aerospatiale AS-350-B2, N60618, slid into a crevasse/depression on the Ferebee Glacier near Skagway, Alaska. The flightseeing flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 135, was preparing to depart the Ferebee Glacier and return to Skagway. A company flight plan was in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot and the six passengers were not injured and the helicopter received substantial damage. According to the operator, the passengers and the pilot had just boarded the helicopter and fastened their seatbelts. The engine was not running and the rotor blades were not turning. The helicopter began to slide forward on the glacier's surface, toward a small depression/crevasse. As it slid forward, it angled to the left and followed a depression. According to the pilot, the speed did not exceed that of a "brisk walk." The left front of the helicopter rolled into a depression and the helicopter rolled onto its left side and stopped sliding. According to the Director of Operations, the pilot submitted to a toxicological test and the results were negative. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60618](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60618-2004-09-23), registration cancelled 2004-09-23, S/N 2565, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS-350-B2 - Registry model: [S N I A S AS-350B ECUREUIL](https://openairdocs.org/model/s-n-i-a-s-as-350b-ecureuil) (registry code 8680801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1ser) (registry code 60030, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: Z565 - Airframe hours: 1552 - Engines: TURBOMECA ARRIEL 1D1 732 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Temsco Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 17, 1995, 66 hours before - Departed: FEREBEE GLACIER, AK - Destination: SGY, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,480 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 42 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 15 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 50 °F ## 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 19950531014389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950531014389A), May 31, 1995: Snias AS350B, Skagway, AK, Substantial damage. After boarding prior to engine start helicopter slid into a small crevasse and rolled. Had landed on a glacier. ## Other investigations on N60618 (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 ANC04LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA053), May 11, 2004: Aerospatiale AS-350B2 (N60618), Skagway, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power during cruise flight for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a ditching and submersion of the helicopter when the emergency float system did not deploy. Factors… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.