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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 12, 2004 · Eurocopter France AS-350B2 · N166EH

Ketchikan, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 12, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Ketchikan, AK
Aircraft
Eurocopter France AS-350B2
Tail Number
N166EH
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC05LA010

The airline transport certificated air taxi helicopter pilot was taking a passenger to a remote landing site. During the landing approach, the helicopter's main rotor blades inadvertently struck a tree. The helicopter landed without further mishap, but inspection of the main rotor blades disclosed that the blades were damaged beyond repair.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object while landing, which resulted in the main rotor blades striking a tree.

Full Narrative

On October 12, 2004, about 1230 Alaska daylight time, a skid-equipped Eurocopter AS-350B2 helicopter, N166EH, operated by Era Aviation, Inc., as an on-demand Title 14, CFR Part 135 flight, sustained substantial damage when the main rotor blades collided with a tree while landing at a remote site, about 15 miles southeast of Ketchikan, Alaska. The airline transport certificated pilot and the one passenger were not injured. The local flight operated in visual meteorological conditions, and a company VFR flight plan was in effect. The flight departed Ketchikan about 0730. The operator reported that the pilot had been ferrying passengers between remote sites in mountainous and thickly forested areas throughout the morning. On the last landing, the pilot reported he noticed damage to the main rotor blades. He said he was uncertain of when the damage occurred, but the operator noted it likely happened on his last landing, and it appears that the blades struck a tree, or a tree stump. The operator indicated there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the helicopter. On November 16, it was determined by a repair station that all three main rotor blades were unairworthy, and could not be repaired.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEurocopter France AS-350B2
Tail NumberN166EH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · 1D1 · Turboshaft · 712
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 5 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data