Robinson Helicopter Co R66 accident near Kaparuk, AK
On June 4, 2025, a Robinson Helicopter Co R66 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Kaparuk, AK. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 4, 2025
- Place
- Kaparuk, AK
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Co R66 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 70.186°N, 149.539°W
- NTSB ID
- 20250604200266
NTSB summary
On June 4, 2025 about 1055 Alaska daylight time, a Robinson R66 turbine-powered helicopter, N962MD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Kaparuk, Alaska. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand charter flight. The helicopter was operated by Pollux Aviation, Wasilla, Alaska, and according to the director of operations, the flight was part of a contract conducting bird research. The purpose of the flight was to scout conditions in the local area, and the next day they planned to relocate to a remote work camp within the North Slope region for three weeks. The pilot was new to the company and flew from Wasilla to Deadhorse Airport (PASC), Deadhorse, Alaska, the day before the accident. The accident flight was his first flight on the North Slope with a passenger. The Alaskan North Slope is bounded on the north by the Beaufort Sea and runs from the Canadian border to the maritime boundary with Russia in the west. The North Slope region includes a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPRA). Weather conditions at PASC when the accident helicopter departed were reported to be, in part: wind 080° at 6 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; overcast ceiling of 500 feet. The pilot received a weather briefing prior to departure. According to archived Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) communication data, prior to departure, the accident pilot contacted the Deadhorse Flight Service Station (SCC FSS) specialis
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Browse: Alaska · Robinson 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.
