Eurocopter AS-350-B3 accident near Yellow Pine, ID
On August 13, 2006, an Eurocopter AS-350-B3 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Yellow Pine, ID. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 13, 2006
- Place
- Yellow Pine, ID
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter AS-350-B3 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 45.008°N, 115.711°W
- NTSB ID
- 20060824X01237
Official records · SEA06GA158
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 13, 2006, at approximately 1710 mountain daylight time, a Eurocopter AS-350-B3 helicopter, N355EV, was destroyed by fire following impact with the East Fork Road (US Forest Road 48) about 18 miles west of Yellow Pine, Idaho. The commercial pilot and his three passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was being operated under contract to the United States Forest Service by Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. of McMinnville, Oregon, as a public use flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight that had originated approximately 5 minutes before the accident. A company flight plan had been filed. The helicopter was en route from Williams Peak (elevation 6,826 feet) lookout tower to Krassel Helibase (24K; elevation 3,982 feet) when the accident occurred. At 1656, the flight-tracking log for the helicopter indicated that it departed Krassel Helibase to transport a relief Fire Lookout to Williams Peak lookout tower and return. The relief Fire Lookout reported that the flight (approximately 4 nautical miles [nm] and 2,844 feet elevation gain) was "very normal and smooth." He said that forest fire smoke limited the visibility in the lower valley to approximately 1 mile, but as the helicopter flew up the ridge, visibility got much better. The relief Fire Lookout said that the pilot flew up the mountain by following the terrain with 100 to 200 feet of clearance. He said that there were two forest service personnel on board, to assist in off-loading and on-loading equipment, supplies, and refuse from the external cargo baskets
Probable cause
The pilot's intentional low altitude flight and his failure to maintain an adequate altitude to clear the trees.
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Browse: Idaho · Eurocopter 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.
