Accident Details
On July 12, 2011, at approximately 2041 UTC (1541 local time), a Robinson Helicopter Company R66 helicopter, registration N810AG, collided with terrain near Girardot, Colombia. The helicopter was registered to Aircraft Guaranty Corporation Trustee and operated by a private individual. The flight was a non-U.S. non-commercial operation from Girardot/Santiago Vila Airport (SKGI) under visual meteorological conditions. A visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed for an intended 45-minute flight south of the destination airport. The accident occurred about 4 minutes after departure.
Witness Account
A witness observed the helicopter flying in a northeasterly direction at an altitude of about 250 feet above ground level. The witness then heard a cracking sound and saw something separate from the helicopter. Subsequently, the helicopter began spinning about its vertical axis while descending and then impacted the ground. The helicopter came to rest on its left side. The tailcone and tail rotor were found separated from the main wreckage, approximately 46 meters away. The accident site was located about 2.5 nautical miles at a bearing of 230 degrees from the approach end of runway 02 at SKGI.
Injuries and Damage
The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and one passenger were fatally injured.
Investigation
This investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Colombia. Further information can be obtained from:
Unidad Administrativa Especial de Aeronautica Civil Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado Bogota, Colombia Telephone: 571.425.1000
This report is for informational purposes only and contains information released by or obtained for the Government of Colombia.