- Date
- March 31, 2019, 14:59 local (22:59 UTC)
- Place
- Coldfoot, AK
- Injuries
- 3 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- C-GTNVAerospatiale AS350
- Defining event
- Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 6, 2019
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- General Aviation Accidents
- Parties
- FAA
- Case key
- 99395
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 gunner’s improper net gun firing, which resulted in a net weight impacting the rotor blades.
Findings · 2
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 chief pilot reported that the helicopter pilot told him that, while attempting to net a calf during a caribou capture flight, he got within shooting range for the net gun, but the calf suddenly "broke right." He then turned the helicopter to follow the calf, and while turning, the pilot thought the shot would not be possible and that he should set up for another run, but the gunner fired. The pilot heard a "bang," followed by a strong vibration. The pilot landed the helicopter without further incident. The pilot reported that postaccident examination revealed that one of the main rotor blades had sustained substantial damage, which he assumed was from a net weight. The chief pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Factual narrative
The chief pilot reported that the helicopter pilot reported that, during a caribou capture flight, while attempting to net a calf, he got within shooting range for the net gun but the calf suddenly "broke right" and he turned to follow. While turning, the pilot thought the shot would not be possible and that he should set up for another run, but the gunner fired. The pilot heard a "bang", followed by a strong vibration. The pilot landed the helicopter without further incident. Postaccident, the pilot examined the main rotor blades and observed substantial damage to one of main rotor blades, which he assumed was from a net weight. The chief pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft
- Registration
- C-GTNV
- Reported as
- Aerospatiale AS350 (B)
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 1655
- Built
- 1982
- Airframe hours
- 11,784.8
- Engine
- Turbomeca Arriel 1D1, 732 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work use · Part 91
- Operator
- Trans North Turbo Air Limited
- Registered owner
- Trans North Turbo Air Limited
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · February 1, 2019
- Departed
- CXF · Coldfoot, AK
- Destination
- CXF · Coldfoot, AK
- Flight plan
- Company VFR
- Equipment
- Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 57
- Injuries
- None
- Certificates
- Airline transport, Commercial, Foreign
- Medical
- Class 1, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- March 19, 2019
- Seat
- Right
- Restraint
- 4-point
- Flight hours
- 10,866 total · 3,964 in this make and model · 9,880 as pilot in command · 77 in the last 90 days · 47 in the last 30 days · 6 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Variable at 10 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 32 °F, dew point 14 °F
Docket · 1
The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2019, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 3.2 MB in all.