Accident
On January 7, 2013, at approximately 2002 coordinated universal time (1502 local time), a Boeing-Vertol 234 helicopter, registration N241CH, was destroyed in an inflight breakup and subsequent impact with terrain near Pucallpa, Peru. The aircraft was operated by Columbia Helicopters Peru, S.A.C., and was on a sling-load positioning flight.
Flight Details
The helicopter had departed FAP Captain David Abenzur Rengifo International Airport (SPCL) in Pucallpa about five minutes earlier, en route to Cadet FAP Guillermo del Castillo Paredes Airport (SPST) in Tarapoto, Peru. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The flight was operating under Peruvian flight regulations.
Occupants
On board were a U.S. commercial-rated pilot, a Peruvian private-rated co-pilot, and five additional company employees of both U.S. and Peruvian nationality. All seven occupants were fatally injured.
Investigation
The accident investigation is being conducted by the Comision de Investigacion de Accidentes de Aviacion (CIAA) of the Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil in Peru. The Republic of Peru is leading the investigation.