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NTSB Report

September 9, 2001 · Eurocopter AS 350 BA · N60809

Skagway, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 9, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Skagway, AK
Aircraft
Eurocopter AS 350 BA
Tail Number
N60809
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC01LA139

The certificated commercial pilot was attempting to land at a remote tourist camp located at the 4,000 feet level of remote glacier. The day before the accident, the area had received about 6 inches of very light, powder snow. As the pilot hovered the helicopter toward the landing area, he became disoriented in whiteout conditions, and lost all visual reference due to blowing snow. As 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.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudged flare while landing. Factors associated with the accident were whiteout conditions, and snow-covered terrain.

Full Narrative

On September 9, 2001, about 1045 Alaska daylight time, a high-skid equipped Eurocopter AS-350 BA helicopter, N60809, sustained substantial damage during landing on the surface of the Denver Glacier, about 3 miles southeast of Skagway, Alaska. The helicopter was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) business flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The helicopter was owned and operated by TEMSCO Helicopters, Inc., Ketchikan, Alaska. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Skagway Airport, about 1030. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on September 10, the Director of Operations for TEMSCO Helicopters reported the accident helicopter was being utilized to demobilize a remote tourist camp located at the 4,000 feet level of the Denver Glacier. He added that the day before the accident, the area had received about 6 inches of very light, powder snow. He said that as the accident pilot hovered the helicopter toward the landing area, the pilot became disoriented in whiteout conditions, and lost all visual reference due to blowing snow. As 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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEurocopter AS 350 BA
Tail NumberN60809
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · Aeriel · Turboshaft · 656
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 20 kt, gusting 25 kt
CeilingBroken clouds 9000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data