Aviation Investigation Final Report

Location: Valdez, Alaska Accident Number: ANC22LA023

Date & Time: March 15, 2022, 15:00 Local Registration: N99676

Aircraft: Eurocopter AS 350 BA Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Collision during takeoff/land Injuries: 1 Minor

Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi & commuter - Non-scheduled

Analysis

The pilot reported that the helicopter was being used to transport skiers in support of a commercial Heli-
ski operation when the helicopter inadvertently collided with terrain while maneuvering to land on the
glacier.

The pilot stated that while on approach to an area to pick up a group of skiers, flat light conditions made
it difficult to discern topographical features on the snow-covered, featureless, glacial terrain. The pilot
said that during the approach, he inadvertently allowed the helicopter to descend below his intended
approach path, and the helicopter touched down short of his intended landing site. The helicopter
subsequently rolled to the left and the main rotor blades struck the snow-covered terrain. The helicopter
sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades, tail rotor blades, tail boom, and fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the
helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path in flat light conditions, which resulted in landing
short of the intended landing spot and impact with terrain.

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 Findings
Personnel issues Visual illusion/disorientation - Pilot
Environmental issues Flat light - Contributed to outcome

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Factual Information

History of Flight
Approach Collision during takeoff/land (Defining event)
Landing Roll over

Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor Age: 51,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Helicopter; Instrument helicopter Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 1 With waivers/limitations Last FAA Medical Exam: April 16, 2021
Occupational Pilot: Yes Last Flight Review or Equivalent: May 22, 2021
Flight Time: 9779 hours (Total, all aircraft), 9978 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 49 hours (Last 90
days, all aircraft), 34 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Page 3 of 6 ANC22LA023
 Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Eurocopter Registration: N99676
Model/Series: AS 350 BA Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 1982 Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal Serial Number: 1542
Landing Gear Type: Skid Seats: 7
Date/Type of Last February 16, 2022 100 hour Certified Max Gross Wt.: 4961 lbs
Inspection:
Time Since Last Inspection: 39.6 Hrs Engines: 1 Turbo shaft
Airframe Total Time: 16258 Hrs as of last Engine Manufacturer: HONEYWELL
inspection
ELT: C126 installed, not activated Engine Model/Series: LTS101-600A3A
Registered Owner: ALPINE AIR ALASKA LLC Rated Power: 732 Horsepower
Operator: ALPINE AIR ALASKA LLC Operating Certificate(s) Rotorcraft external load
Held: (133), On-demand air taxi
(135), Agricultural aircraft
(137)
Operator Does Business As: Operator Designator Code: YDAA

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PAVD,60 ft msl Distance from Accident Site: 13 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 15:56 Local Direction from Accident Site: 234°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 3400 ft AGL Visibility 8 miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 4800 ft AGL Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots / Turbulence Type None / None
Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 260° Turbulence Severity N/A / N/A
Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.47 inches Hg Temperature/Dew Point: -2°C / -9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: 16 Mile, AK Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Destination: Tsania Valley, AK Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 15:00 Local Type of Airspace: Class G

Page 4 of 6 ANC22LA023
 Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Aircraft Fire: None
Injuries:
Ground Injuries: Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor Latitude, 61.262204,-145.87494(est)
Longitude:

Page 5 of 6 ANC22LA023
 Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Ward, Mark
Additional Participating Brad Sapp; FAA- Juneau Flight Standards District Office; Juneau , AK
Persons:
Original Publish Date: July 5, 2022
Last Revision Date:
Investigation Class: Class 4
Note: The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Investigation Docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104788

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with
investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in other modes of transportation—
railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. We determine the probable causes of the accidents
and events we investigate, and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences. In addition, we
conduct transportation safety research studies and offer information and other assistance to family members and
survivors for each accident or event we investigate. We also serve as the appellate authority for enforcement actions
involving aviation and mariner certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Coast Guard, and
we adjudicate appeals of civil penalty actions taken by the FAA.

The NTSB does not assign fault or blame for an accident or incident; rather, as specified by NTSB regulation,
“accident/incident investigations are fact-finding proceedings with no formal issues and no adverse parties … and are
not conducted for the purpose of determining the rights or liabilities of any person” (Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations
section 831.4). Assignment of fault or legal liability is not relevant to the NTSB’s statutory mission to improve
transportation safety by investigating accidents and incidents and issuing safety recommendations. In addition,
statutory language prohibits the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an accident in a
civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report (Title 49 United States Code section 1154(b)). A
factual report that may be admissible under 49 United States Code section 1154(b) is available here.

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