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September 17, 2010 · Aerospatiale AS 355F1 · N5802W

Pikes Peak, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 17, 2010
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Location
Pikes Peak, CO
Aircraft
Aerospatiale AS 355F1
Tail Number
N5802W
Operator
Aircam National Helicopter Services
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN10CA545

The pilot was operating his dual turbine-engine helicopter near a mountain in an effort to film an automobile driving on a road below. The pilot stated that he had operated around this particular mountain several times a year over the past 24 years and had established a flight profile which minimized the associated risks. One sharp turn in the road near the peak required the pilot to fly outbound from the mountain and make a gentle 180-degree turn back to film the automobile. When the pilot flew outbound from the mountain the flying conditions were normal. However, after turning 180 degrees and on the inbound leg towards the mountain, the helicopter encountered a downdraft and was pushed toward the rising terrain. Helicopter performance at that altitude did not provide the pilot with a power margin great enough to arrest the descent. The pilot elected to perform a landing to the road rather than risk a turn down the rocky mountain slope. The helicopter subsequently touched down hard and rolled over, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Downdraft-Ability to respond/compensate - C

Full Narrative

The airline transport certified pilot was operating his dual turbine-engine helicopter near a 14,110 foot high mountain in order to film an automobile driving up a road. The pilot stated that he had operated around this particular mountain several times a year over the past 24 years and had established a flight profile which minimized the associated risks. One sharp turn in the road near the peak required the pilot to fly outbound from the mountain and make a gentle 180-degree turn back to film the automobile. When the pilot flew outbound from the mountain the flying conditions were normal. However, after turning 180 degrees and on the inbound leg towards the mountain, the helicopter encountered a downdraft and was pushed towards the rising terrain. Helicopter performance at that altitude did not provide the pilot with a power margin great enough to "power out" of the descent. The pilot elected to perform a landing to the road rather than risk a turn down the rocky mountain slope. The helicopter subsequently touched down hard and rolled over coming to rest on the left side. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the pilot received minor injuries. The three passengers were not injured.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerospatiale AS 355F1
Tail NumberN5802W
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAircam National Helicopter Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 SER · Turboshaft · 420 | Allison · 250-C20 SER · Turboshaft · 420
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 64 · First Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 21 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data