What happened
On November 3, 2022, at approximately 10:15 local time, a UH-1D helicopter, operated by Helicópteros del Pacífico, crashed in a ravine in the San Clemente commune, within the Maule Region. The aircraft was performing external cargo lifting operations, specifically transporting construction materials for a cellular antenna tower, when it struck the terrain. The flight involved a commercial pilot and a mechanic. The impact resulted in one fatality (the pilot) and one serious injury (the mechanic).
At the time of the accident, the aircraft was operating in a mountainous area. The mission involved moving heavy materials using slings, with several loads prepared for transport at the takeoff site. The wreckage was located in a ravine at an elevation of approximately 1,800 meters, roughly 4 kilometers from the departure point.
The investigation
DGAC Chile investigators, with technical support from the NTSB, conducted an extensive examination of the wreckage and components. The investigation included a detailed inspection of the Lycoming T53-L13-B engine at a facility in Springfield, Missouri, USA.
Physical examination of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft was found in an inverted position. The impact caused severe structural damage, including the total separation of the tail structure from the fuselage, the loss of the left landing skid, and the detachment of the engine from its mounts. The main rotor assembly was found 12 meters uphill from the fuselage, with significant structural fractures to the blades and the loss of the blade tips.
Technical inspections of the engine and fuel systems were performed to rule out mechanical failure. The investigation confirmed that the engine was in a state of minimal or zero power at the moment of impact. Furthermore, specialized testing of the fuel booster pumps, fuel filters, and the engine's linear actuator demonstrated that these components were fully operational and free of contamination or mechanical defects prior to the accident.