Accident Overview
On May 29, 2008, at 1410 central daylight time, a Bell UH-1H helicopter operated by the Panamanian Servicio Aereo Nacional (SAN) as flight SAN-100 was destroyed when it impacted buildings in Panama City, Panama. The flight was a VIP transport conducted under Panamanian flight regulations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The helicopter departed Enrique A. Jimenez Airport (MONX) in Colon at 1326, en route to a waterfront hotel landing pad in Panama City. On board were a Panamanian pilot in command, a Panamanian copilot, a Panamanian flight mechanic, three Panamanian passengers, and six Chilean passengers. The pilot, flight mechanic, and all nine passengers sustained fatal injuries; the copilot was seriously injured. No injuries occurred on the ground. Among the passengers were senior officials from both Panama and Chile, including the Director General of the Chilean National Police (Los Carabineros), who were attending an international conference.
Sequence of Events
A review of radar data indicated that as the helicopter approached the hotel helipad from the south over the Bay of Panama, it performed one 360-degree turn and then a 270-degree turn. It then headed eastward toward a different part of the shoreline. After crossing the coast, the helicopter appeared to be heading over buildings toward Marco A. Gelabert (Albrook) Airport (MPMG) before it disappeared from radar. The helicopter's altitudes were not recorded during this sequence.
According to the copilot, while the helicopter was approaching the helipad, the left engine experienced a power loss, which made it impossible to land at the intended pad. The crew concentrated on maintaining flight and diverted toward Marco A. Gelabert Airport. During this diversion, the helicopter struck the top of a building.
Wreckage Distribution
Examination of the accident scene revealed that the majority of the tailboom came to rest on the roof of a four-story building. The majority of the cabin, including both engines, was found on the roof of a second, lower building. The majority of the cockpit continued off the second building and descended into a street.
Aircraft Examination
A subsequent examination of the wreckage and engines in a hangar determined that the airframe and flight controls exhibited no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. However, the left engine "was not operating normally at the time of the accident." The engines were subsequently transported to the manufacturer for further examination under the oversight of Panamanian authorities.
Investigation
The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction of the government of Panama, through the Autoridad Aeronautica Civil (AAC). Further information may be obtained from the AAC.