What happened
On August 26, 2022, at approximately 15:00 local time, an Agusta Aerospace Corp AW119 MKII helicopter crashed in the Las Bandurrias sector of San Esteban, Valparaíso Region. The aircraft was engaged in an external load cargo operation when the pilot lost control, causing the helicopter to impact an agricultural field containing vineyards.
The impact resulted in one fatality, involving the pilot in command. The aircraft sustained catastrophic structural damage, including a destroyed nose section, a collapsed fuselage, and severe damage to the main and tail rotor systems. The impact also caused the tail cone to detach and strike the cockpit area.
The investigation
DGAC Chile investigators examined the wreckage and the operational circumstances of the flight. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was operating under a valid airworthiness certificate and that the engine, a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-37A, had undergone recent scheduled maintenance. Fuel samples taken from the site confirmed that the Jet A1 fuel met all required ASTM standards.
Investigators analyzed the aircraft's configuration at the time of the accident. The helicopter was configured for external loading, carrying a 900 kg load. While the takeoff weight was within certified limits, the investigation noted that the pilot had not performed a formal weight and balance calculation prior to the flight.
Physical inspection of the wreckage revealed that the main transmission had shifted left due to mechanical overstress during the impact. The investigation also noted that the collective control was set to manual mode and the power lever angle was positioned near idle. The external load line was found still connected to the aircraft, with the concrete load having impacted the ground several meters from the final resting position of the helicopter.
Findings
- The aircraft was performing an external cargo operation involving a 900 kg load.
- The pilot did not perform a weight and balance calculation prior to the flight preparation.
- The aircraft sustained extreme structural failure, including the detachment of the tail cone and severe deformation of the fuselage and landing gear.
- The external load (concrete) had struck the ground separately from the aircraft's final position.