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NTSB Report
June 15, 1989 · Aerospatiale AS350B · N160EH
Puntilla Lake, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 15, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Puntilla Lake, AK
Aircraft
Aerospatiale AS350B
Tail Number
N160EH
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ANC89FA092
THE AIR TAXI PLT WAS RETURNING THE HELICOPTER TO ITS BASE CAMP AFTER TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS & PARTS TO A REMOTE DRILLING SITE IN RURAL ALASKA. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE ROCK FACE OF A 3900 FT RIDGE AT THE 3500 FT LEVEL. THE WX IN THE AREA WAS RPRTD TO BE OVERCAST BTN 3000 & 3500 FT MSL WITH LIGHT TO OCCASIONALLY HEAVY RAIN. THE PLT HAD AN INSTRUMENT RATING FOR AIRPLANES, BUT NOT FOR HELICOPTERS. HE WAS RPRTDLY IN THE HABIT OF FLYING OVER THE RIDGES, WHEN WX PERMITTED, TO MINIMIZE FLT TIME, INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING LOWER TERRAIN IN NEARBY VALLEYS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC) AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE WEATHER AND TERRAIN CONDITIONS WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
Full Narrative
THE AIR TAXI PLT WAS RETURNING THE HELICOPTER TO ITS BASE CAMP AFTER TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS & PARTS TO A REMOTE DRILLING SITE IN RURAL ALASKA. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE ROCK FACE OF A 3900 FT RIDGE AT THE 3500 FT LEVEL. THE WX IN THE AREA WAS RPRTD TO BE OVERCAST BTN 3000 & 3500 FT MSL WITH LIGHT TO OCCASIONALLY HEAVY RAIN. THE PLT HAD AN INSTRUMENT RATING FOR AIRPLANES, BUT NOT FOR HELICOPTERS. HE WAS RPRTDLY IN THE HABIT OF FLYING OVER THE RIDGES, WHEN WX PERMITTED, TO MINIMIZE FLT TIME, INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING LOWER TERRAIN IN NEARBY VALLEYS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:40 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerospatiale AS350B
Tail NumberN160EH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · ARRIEL 1B · Turboshaft · 650
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT