Skagway, AK, USA
N301TH
Eurocopter AS 350B2
The commercial certificated pilot was landing a helicopter on a remote wooden platform/helipad during a Title 14, CFR Part 135 sightseeing flight. While at a hover, as the pilot began a pedal turn to position the helicopter over the helipad, the helicopter drifted left. The main rotor struck a tree, the helicopter descended, collided with the ground, and rolled onto its right side.
On July 27, 2006, about 0755 Alaska daylight time, a high skid-equipped Eurocopter AS 350B2 helicopter, N301TH, sustained substantial damage after a main rotor blade struck a tree while hovering over a remote landing area, about 9 miles northeast of Skagway, Alaska. The helicopter was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area sightseeing flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The helicopter was operated by Temsco Helicopters Inc., Ketchikan, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot and two passengers were not injured. One passenger/guide received serious injuries, and two passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Skagway Airport, about 0735. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on July 27, the director of operations for the operator reported that the accident helicopter was one of two helicopters transporting passengers and guides to helipads located adjacent to Glacier Station, along the White Pass and Yukon Railroad. The accident flight was a combination sightseeing and hiking tour in conjunction with Packer Expeditions’ tour guides from Skagway. After landing at the helipads, the passengers and guides would hike a remote trail, and board the White Pass train for a return to Skagway. The director of operations indicated that the helipads are wooden platforms constructed next to the railroad, and have several trees adjacent to the pads. He said that the first helicopter landed at one helipad, and the accident pilot began his landing approach to the other helipad. The accident pilot made a pedal turn to position the helicopter over the helipad, but drifted left. The main rotor struck a tree, the helicopter descended, collided with the ground, and rolled onto its right side.
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while hovering, which resulted in a main rotor strike with trees, an uncontrolled descent, and a collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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