Introduction
A midair collision occurred between a Cessna 206 airplane and an Aerospatiale AS350D helicopter approximately one-half mile south of Dillingham Airport in Dillingham, Alaska.
Aircraft and Flight Details
Both aircraft had been in communication with the Dillingham Flight Service Station and had received the appropriate flight advisories prior to the accident. The Cessna 206 was conducting landing practice and had just departed Runway 19. The helicopter was operating under 14 CFR Part 135 as a cargo-only flight and was in level cruise or a slight climb at the time of the collision.
Sequence of Events
The Cessna was struck from the left side at an altitude of about 400 feet above ground level. Witnesses reported that neither aircraft took evasive action before impact.
Damage
The helicopter's main rotor hub and tail boom separated before ground impact. The Cessna's tail section separated and its right wing folded prior to ground impact. Post-accident examination revealed tail rotor blade strikes on the bottom and right side of the Cessna, as well as main rotor blade strikes on the right side of its fuselage.