On June 26, 2002, an Eurocopter France AS-350-B2 (registration N197EH) was involved in an aviation accident near Denali Park, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff, which resulted in dynamic rollover of the helicopter. A contributing factor was the frozen terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter rolled onto its right side during takeoff from a glacier after the right landing gear skid, frozen to the surface, broke free and induced a left rolling moment, causing main rotor blades to contact the glacier.
Accident Details
The pilot of the accident helicopter reported attempting a takeoff from a glacier. During the takeoff, he discovered that the right landing gear skid was frozen to the glacier surface. In response, he decreased the collective control input. As he reduced the collective input, the right skid broke free from the ice.
Sequence of Events
The pilot stated that due to left cyclic input, when the right skid broke free from the ice, a left rolling moment was induced. Subsequently, the helicopter's main rotor blades contacted the surface of the glacier, and the helicopter rolled onto its right side.
Outcome
The accident resulted in the helicopter rolling onto its right side after the main rotor blades struck the glacier. No further details about the extent of damage or injuries were provided in the source.