Summary
On April 18, 2012, a Aerospatiale AS350 B2 ECUREUIL (N191EH) was involved in an incident near Valdez, AK. All 4 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing surface, which resulted in the tail rotor contacting terrain.
The pilot was landing a high-skid equipped helicopter on a snow-covered glacier. After touchdown, both skids sank into the snow, and the tail rotor contacted terrain. The tail rotor drive shaft and tail rotor gear box sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the helicopter.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC12CA033. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N191EH.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing surface, which resulted in the tail rotor contacting terrain.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
The pilot was landing a high-skid equipped helicopter on a snow-covered glacier. After touchdown, both skids sank into the snow, and the tail rotor contacted terrain. The tail rotor drive shaft and tail rotor gear box sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the helicopter.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC12CA033