Aerospatiale SA341G N16KH

Summary

On 6 March 2003 at about 15:30 local time, a Aerospatiale SA341G registered N16KH was involved in an accident near Alpine, Texas, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 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

6 March 2003 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Alpine, Texas, United States

Coordinates

30.3867, -103.6858

Aircraft

Aerospatiale SA341G

Registration

N16KH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Alpine → Marfa

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW03LA105

4 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain translational lift, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent of the helicopter during takeoff. A contributing factor was the gusty tailwind condition.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot flew the helicopter to a mountain top and landed at an elevation of 5,000 feet msl. After a short time, the passengers and pilot reboarded the helicopter for the return flight. The pilot reported that during takeoff, as the helicopter entered translational lift, it encountered a gust of wind from the rear. Subsequently, the helicopter entered an uncontrolled descent and impacted terrain. The helicopter came to rest in a shallow creek.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.