# NTSB WPR25LA006: Agustawestland AW109SP, N631HC, Kamas, UT, October 8, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 8, 2024, 04:30 local (10:30 UTC) - Place: Kamas, UT - Coordinates: 40.935, -110.66616 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9350&lon=-110.6662&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 195279 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195279/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195279 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA006 ## Probable cause The pilot’s exceedance of the helicopter’s available power while landing in a confined area, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: powerplant parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Agustawestland AW109SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md?model=0260116), [All aircraft, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Agustawestland AW109SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=0260116), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Agustawestland AW109SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=0260116), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Terrain: high elevation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Agustawestland AW109SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021025/cases.md?model=0260116), [All aircraft, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242); cases with it: [Agustawestland AW109SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md?model=0260116), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Agustawestland AW109SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0260116), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Agustawestland AW109SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=0260116), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Agustawestland AW109SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=0260116), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the helicopter reported that he mistakenly added more fuel than was required to complete a mountainous terrain, confined area landing at an elevation of 10,276 ft msl. During his approach to the landing area, the helicopter descended below the tree line preventing a go-around. As the helicopter descended, the pilot increased collective to add power, but he observed a high torque indication of 111% and he felt the “sluggish” performance of the helicopter. The tail rotor effectiveness diminished, an uncommanded right yaw ensued, and the helicopter landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the lower fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the powered glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N631HC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N631HC-2025-09-09), registration cancelled 2025-09-09, S/N 22312, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AGUSTAWESTLAND SPA AW109SP - Registry model: [Agustawestland AW109SP](https://openairdocs.org/model/agustawestland-aw109sp) (registry code 0260116) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pw207c) (registry code 52203, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 22312 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 3230.7 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PW207C 700 horsepower turbo shaft; Pratt & Whitney PW207C 700 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 135 - Operator: Ihc Health Services Inc, doing business as Intermountain Life Flight - Registered owner: Ihc Health Services Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 29, 2024 - Departed: UT06, Logan, UT - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Data recorder ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 14, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,127 total, 170 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Other flight crew; injuries: none; seat: left; restraint: 4-point - Other flight crew; injuries: minor; seat: right; restraint: 3-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: KEVW, 26 nm away - METAR: METAR KEVW 081053Z AUTO 17005KT 10SM CLR 10/M03 A3028 RMK AO2 SLP170 T01001028= ## 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 20241008017699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241008017699A), Oct 8, 2024: Agustawestland Spa AW109SP, Kamas, UT, Substantial damage. Date: may 20, 2024 time of departure: 03:55 MDT last departure point: UT06, logan, Utah, usa; [privacy data omitted]; flight type: scene call in the high… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 8, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195279. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18052995&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum complete 6120 narrative (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18053363&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20Complete%20Narrative-Rel.pdf - Photograph (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 482 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18052218&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photograph-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. --- 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.