Eurocopter AS 350 B2 accident near Iliamna, AK
On October 30, 2011, an Eurocopter AS 350 B2 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Iliamna, AK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 30, 2011
- Place
- Iliamna, AK
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter AS 350 B2 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 59.677°N, 155.103°W
- NTSB ID
- 20111031X10241
Official records · ANC12FA006
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn October 29, 2011, about 2009 Alaska daylight time (ADT), a Eurocopter AS350-B2 helicopter, N165EH, was destroyed during a collision with tundra-covered terrain about 7 miles southwest of Iliamna, Alaska. The pilot, the only occupant, died at the scene. The helicopter was operated by ERA Helicopters LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, as a 14 CFR Part 135 visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand charter flight when the accident occurred. Dark night, visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the Iliamna Airport. The flight originated in Nome, Alaska about 1343, with fuel stops in Unalakleet and Bethel, Alaska before continuing to Iliamna, the flight's destination for the day. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on October 30, the operator's general manager reported that the accident helicopter was under contract to Fugro Airborne Surveys to support an aerial seismic survey project near Nome. He said that the survey crew had completed their survey, and the two survey crew members returned to Anchorage on October 25. The pilot planned to rendezvous with the crew in Anchorage, so that the specialized survey equipment which was still installed in the helicopter could be removed. However, continuous poor weather conditions delayed the pilot's departure from Nome until the afternoon of October 29. The accident helicopter was equipped with a Sky Connect onboard satellite tracking system, which provides flight dispatchers with real-time position repo
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of control due to sudden medical impairment or incapacitation.
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Browse: Alaska · 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.
