2002-02-07: Aerospatiale AS350-B — Girdwood, AK

Casualties unknown • Girdwood, AK, US

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate distance from a radio antenna during landing. A factor was the presence of an antenna.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The commercial certificated pilot was transporting a radio techinian to a remote radio repeater site in a helicopter. The area near the repeater site was snow covered. During the landing, one main rotor blade on the accident helicopter struck a radio antenna. The pilot was not aware of any collision with the antenna at the time of the landing, but discovered damage to a main rotor blade later in the day. The damaged rotor blade was removed and a replacement blade installed. The damaged rotor blade was returned to the manufacturer in France for repair.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2002-02-07 Aerospatiale AS350-B accident near Girdwood, AK?

The commercial certificated pilot was transporting a radio techinian to a remote radio repeater site in a helicopter. The area near the repeater site was snow covered. During the landing, one main rotor blade on the accident helicopter struck a radio antenna. The pilot was not aware of any collision with the antenna…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2002-02-07 involved a 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.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020318X00361. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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