# NTSB ANC99LA036: Eurocopter AS-350-B2, N197EH, Girdwood, AK, March 17, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 17, 1999, 10:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Girdwood, AK - Coordinates: 60.899303, -148.909927 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8993&lon=-148.9099&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 45963 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45963/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA036 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged flare while landing. Factors associated with the accident were whiteout conditions, and snow-covered terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, landing - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor) - Hard landing, landing - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - Roll over, landing ## Analysis The commercial pilot reported that the accident helicopter was being utilized to transport skiers to a remote ski area. He added that the day before the accident, the area had received about 6 inches of very light, powder snow. He stated that just before the accident, he transported a group of photographers to the top of the mountain, and he was returning to the base of the mountain to pick up the next group of skiers. He said that as the helicopter hovered toward the landing area, he became disoriented in whiteout conditions, and lost all visual reference due to blowing snow. He said the helicopter drifted to the right, the right skid struck the snow, and the helicopter rolled onto its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and drive train components. ## Factual narrative On March 17, 1999, about 1050 Alaska standard time, a high skid equipped Eurocopter AS-350-B2 helicopter, N197EH, sustained substantial damage during landing, about 12 miles south of Girdwood, Alaska. The helicopter was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand air taxi flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The helicopter is registered to, and operated by, ERA Aviation, Anchorage, Alaska. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Girdwood Airport about 0810. During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on March 17, the pilot reported that the accident helicopter was operating under contract to Chugach Powder Guides to transport skiers to a remote ski area. He added that the day before the accident, the area had received about 6 inches of very light, powder snow. He stated that just before the accident, he transported a group of photographers to the top of the mountain, and he was returning to the base of the mountain to pick up the next group of skiers. He said that as the helicopter hovered toward the landing area, he became disoriented in whiteout conditions, and lost all visual reference due to blowing snow. He said the helicopter drifted to the right, the right skid struck the snow, and the helicopter rolled onto its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and drive train components. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N197EH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N197EH-2003-03-06), registration cancelled 2003-03-06, S/N 2983, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Eurocopter AS-350-B2 - Registry model: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b2) (registry code 8680950) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1ser) (registry code 60030, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2983 - Airframe hours: 796 - Engines: Turbomeca ARRIEL 1D1 732 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Era Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, April 24, 1999, 21 hours before - Departed: AQY, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 8,520 total, 3,340 in this make and model, 8,125 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19990317002439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990317002439A), Mar 17, 1999: Snias AS350B2, 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… ## Other investigations on N197EH (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. 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.