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August 10, 2001 · Eurocopter AS350-B2 · N169PA

Meadview, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 10, 2001
Injury Outcomes
7 injuries (6 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Meadview, AZ
Aircraft
Eurocopter AS350-B2
Tail Number
N169PA
Operator
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX01MA272

The Board's full report is available at http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2004/AAB0402.pdf On August 10, 2001, about 1428 mountain standard time, a Eurocopter AS350-B2 helicopter, N169PA, operating as Papillon 34, collided with terrain during an uncontrolled descent about 4 miles east of Meadview, Arizona. The helicopter was operated by Papillon Airways, Inc., as an air tour flight under Code of Federal Regulations 14 (CFR) Part 135. The helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and a postcrash fire. The pilot and five passengers were killed, and the remaining passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight originated from the company terminal at the McCarran International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas, Nevada, about 1245 as a tour of the west Grand Canyon area with a planned stop at a landing site in Quartermaster Canyon. The helicopter departed the landing site about 1400 and stopped at a company fueling facility at the Grand Canyon West Airport (GCW). The helicopter departed the fueling facility at 1420 and was en route to LAS when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s loss of control of the helicopter for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

The Board's full report is available at http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2004/AAB0402.pdf On August 10, 2001, about 1428 mountain standard time, a Eurocopter AS350-B2 helicopter, N169PA, operating as Papillon 34, collided with terrain during an uncontrolled descent about 4 miles east of Meadview, Arizona. The helicopter was operated by Papillon Airways, Inc., as an air tour flight under Code of Federal Regulations 14 (CFR) Part 135. The helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and a postcrash fire. The pilot and five passengers were killed, and the remaining passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight originated from the company terminal at the McCarran International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas, Nevada, about 1245 as a tour of the west Grand Canyon area with a planned stop at a landing site in Quartermaster Canyon. The helicopter departed the landing site about 1400 and stopped at a company fueling facility at the Grand Canyon West Airport (GCW). The helicopter departed the fueling facility at 1420 and was en route to LAS when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:28 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEurocopter AS350-B2
Tail NumberN169PA
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPapillon Grand Canyon Helicopters
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · Arriel 1D1 · Turboshaft · 625
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary7 injuries (6 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal6
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total7
Crew 1Age 27 · Second Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time21:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data