Accident Overview
On August 22, 2009, at 0506 UTC, an Agusta 109E helicopter, registration N906AH, operated by Saudi Aramco Aviation, sustained substantial damage during a landing on barge Arabyia 4 in the Persian Gulf, near Ras Tanajib, Saudi Arabia. The flight had departed Ras Tanajib Airport (OETN) at 0456 UTC under visual meteorological conditions. The pilot and four passengers were not injured.
Accident Sequence
According to the operator, the helicopter touched down on the barge and began to shake. Subsequently, the main rotor contacted the tail boom and cabin, and a fire ensued. During the accident sequence, the pilot was able to secure the engines and stop the main rotor using the rotor brake. The pilot and passengers exited the helicopter uninjured, and barge personnel extinguished the fire.
Location
The accident occurred in the vicinity of 28 degrees, 05 minutes north latitude, 048 degrees, 44 minutes east longitude.
Investigation
This investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).