TRADING BAY, AK, USA
N37903
AEROSPATIALE SA-315B
THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHEN HE TOOK OFF, THERE WAS 1-1/2 TO 2 MI VIS WITH LIGHT SNOW. ABOUT 5 MIN LATER, HE ENCOUNTERED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS & INITIATED A LANDING. HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHDOWN HARD & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM, WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.
THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: SNOW COVERED TERRAIN, ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND SPATIAL DISORIENTATION OF THE PILOT, DUE TO LACK OF VISUAL CURE DURING THE LANDING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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