On February 7, 2002, an Aerospatiale AS350-B (registration N6080D) was involved in an aviation accident near Girdwood, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate distance from a radio antenna during landing. A factor was the presence of an antenna. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A commercial helicopter pilot transporting a radio technician to a remote site struck a radio antenna with a main rotor blade during a landing in snow. Damage was discovered later, and the blade was replaced.
Incident Overview
A commercial pilot was operating a helicopter to transport a radio technician to a remote radio repeater site. The area surrounding the repeater site was covered with snow.
Collision with Antenna
During the landing, one of the main rotor blades on the helicopter struck a radio antenna. The pilot was not aware that a collision had occurred at the time of landing.
Discovery of Damage
Later in the day, the pilot discovered damage to a main rotor blade. The damaged blade was subsequently removed from the helicopter, and a replacement blade was installed.
Blade Repair
The damaged rotor blade was returned to the manufacturer in France for repair.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 7 Feb 2002 Aerospatiale AS350-B accident near Girdwood, AK?
A commercial helicopter pilot transporting a radio technician to a remote site struck a radio antenna with a main rotor blade during a landing in snow. Damage was discovered later, and the blade was replaced.
Were there any fatalities in the 7 Feb 2002 Aerospatiale AS350-B accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 7 Feb 2002 involved an Aerospatiale AS350-B, registration N6080D, at Girdwood, AK.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate distance from a radio antenna during landing. A factor was the presence of an antenna.
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