Hughes OH-6A accident near Central, AK
On June 22, 2002, a Hughes OH-6A (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Central, AK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 22, 2002
- Place
- Central, AK
- Aircraft
- Hughes OH-6A · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 3 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 65.502°N, 145.386°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020702X01040
Official records · ANC02FA057
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 21, 2002, about 2319 Alaska daylight time, a Hughes OH-6A helicopter, N345SD, was destroyed during an in-flight collision with terrain while maneuvering, about 15 miles west-southwest of Central, Alaska. The helicopter was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot/operator sustained serious injuries, two of the three passengers aboard were seriously injured, and the third passenger was fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the area of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Eagle Summit, elevation about 4,400 feet msl, and was bound for Circle Hot Springs, Alaska, about 8 miles southeast of Central. On-site interviews were conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on June 22. Witnesses said an engaged couple was transported to Eagle Summit in the helicopter for a mountaintop wedding ceremony. Witnesses/wedding guests said when they arrived on Eagle Summit in their personal vehicles, it was windy, but visibility was good, and the clouds were high above the summit. They said they could see worsening weather approaching from the north, and shortly after the helicopter arrived, the weather closed in, and it began to snow. They said visibility was reduced to 100 to 300 feet in wet, heavy, blowing snow. The wedding ceremony was concluded quickly, and the pilot voiced concerns about having to leave the helicopter on the mountaintop over night. The pilot and
Probable cause
The pilot's intentional flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were the snow and whiteout weather conditions.
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Browse: Alaska · Hughes aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
