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September 5, 2023 · Dehavilland DHC-2 · N97EL

King Salmon, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 5, 2023
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 7 uninjured
Location
King Salmon, AK
Aircraft
Dehavilland DHC-2 (1958)
Tail Number
N97EL
Operator
Alaskas Enchanted Lake Lodge
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
ANC23LA071

While en route to their respective destinations in visual meteorological conditions at an altitude about 1,000 ft, a float-equipped airplane and a helicopter collided midair. The airplane pilot had broadcast his position over a common traffic advisory frequency for the area. The helicopter pilot was monitoring the common traffic advisory frequency and was also monitoring automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B) data from other aircraft on a moving map display; however, the airplane was not ADS-B equipped. The airplane pilot did not see the helicopter in time to avoid the collision. The helicopter pilot never saw the airplane and was unaware that his helicopter had collided with the airplane until after the accident. As a result of the midair collision, the airplane sustained minor damage to the floats and propeller, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and drive train system.

NTSB Probable Cause

Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring other aircraft-Pilot of other aircraft

Full Narrative

On September 4, 2023, about 1610 Alaska daylight time, a DeHavilland DHC-2 float equipped-airplane, N97EL, and a Bell 206L-4 helicopter, N193AL, were involved in a midair collision near King Salmon, Alaska. The airplane sustained minor damage; the pilot and six passengers were not injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged; the pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand charter flight. The airplane departed from the Brooks River about 1600 and flew north to the mouth of the American Creek on a return flight to a lodge on Enchanted Lake. The pilot broadcast a position report over the common traffic advisory frequency while crossing over the mouth of the American Creek and proceeded to fly along the right side of the creek at an estimated altitude of 800 ft mean sea level (msl). About five miles past the reported position, the pilot noticed the passenger sitting next to him looking across the cockpit to the left with a startled look. The pilot looked left and saw a flash of white. He never saw the helicopter before impact. The airplane was traveling at about 90 miles per hour (mph). The airplane was not equipped with ADS-B, nor was it required. The helicopter departed from King Salmon Airport (PAKN) around 1600 en route to Homer, Alaska. The helicopter pilot reported that, after departure, he climbed the helicopter to about 1,000 ft above ground level (agl) and was flying direct to Homer Airport (PAHO). The helicopter was traveling about 115 mph. As the helicopter passed under the airplane, the airplane’s propeller made contact with the helicopter’s tail boom and tail rotor drive system, which severed the entire tail rotor gearbox assembly from the tail boom. The helicopter subsequently entered a spinning, uncontrolled descent into the tundra and tree-covered terrain below. The airplane began to shake and vibrate violently. The airplane pilot then realized that the airplane had collided with another aircraft and he turned the airplane 180°. The right seat passenger reported to the pilot that a helicopter had hit the airplane and he saw the tail of the helicopter separate and the helicopter crash. The airplane pilot broadcast the downed helicopter’s location over the common traffic advisory frequency and began to direct other aircraft in the area towards the helicopter wreckage. The airplane pilot then made an emergency landing in a nearby river. The airplane sustained minor damage to the floats and propeller. The helicopter pilot reported that he was monitoring the local traffic advisory frequency at the time of the accident. The helicopter was equipped with ADS-B in and out. The pilot was also using a Stratus that provided ADS-B data from other aircraft in the area on a moving map display on his tablet. He did not see any other aircraft along or near his route of flight on the display. He added that he never saw the airplane and was unaware that his helicopter had collided with the airplane until after the accident. The nearest weather reporting station, located 34 nautical miles west of the accident site, reported 10 miles visibility with few clouds at 3,500 ft agl. Neither pilot reported any difficulty or restrictions with visibility.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:10 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDehavilland DHC-2
Tail NumberN97EL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorAlaskas Enchanted Lake Lodge
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royc · 250-C30P · Turboshaft · 650 | P&W · R-985 SERIES · Reciprocating · 450
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 7 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured7
Total8
Crew 1None
Crew 2None
Crew 3None
Crew 4None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 F / 45 F
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time16:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data