Eurocopter France AS-350-B2 N197EH

Summary

On 26 June 2002 at about 19:15 local time, a Eurocopter France AS-350-B2 registered N197EH was involved in an accident near Denali Park, Alaska, United States. 6 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 June 2002 at 19:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Denali Park, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

61.2096, -149.2492

Aircraft

Eurocopter France AS-350-B2

Registration

N197EH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Denali Park → Denali Park

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC02LA068

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff, which resulted in dynamic rollover of the helicopter. A contributing factor was the frozen terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the accident helicopter reported that he was attempting to takeoff from a glacier. During takeoff, he discovered the right landing gear skid was frozen to the surface of the glacier, and he decreased the collective control input. As he reduced the collective control input, the right skid broke free from the ice. He said that due to left cyclic input, when the right skid broke free from the ice, a left rolling moment was induced. The helicopter's main rotor blades subsequently contacted the surface of the glacier, and the helicopter rolled onto its right side.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.