What happened
On May 5, 2016, an Airbus AS 350 B2 helicopter, registration N194EH, crashed into snow-covered mountainous terrain near Guardian Mountain, approximately 15 miles northeast of Juneau, Alaska. The flight, operated by Era Helicopters, LLC, was a visual flight rules (VFR) internal-cargo mission intended to transport equipment to a remote dog camp on the Norris Glacier.
During the approach to the landing site, the pilot encountered flat light conditions over a large, feature and snow-covered ice field. While monitoring the radar altimeter, which indicated 200 feet above ground level, the helicopter struck the ice field and rolled to the right. The pilot sustained 1 serious injury, including multiple fractures to the ribs, scapula, and spine, as well as internal organ injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's configuration and the security of its internal cargo. The cabin was configured to transport 850 pounds of internal cargo. A 50-pound plastic box containing a metal heater was placed on the cabin floor, secured by a single cargo strap. While this strap provided lateral restraint, it did not provide forward restraint.
Examination of the wreckage showed that the cargo strap remained intact; however, the momentum of the impact caused the plastic box to shift forward. This allowed the metal heater to be ejected from the box, where it struck the pilot or the pilot's seat. Maintenance records for the N194EH showed no evidence of mechanical failures or uncorrected discrepancies prior to the accident.
Investigators also reviewed the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) and manufacturer documentation. While the manual provided a maximum distributed load for the rear cabin floor, it lacked specific instructions on how to properly secure internal cargo. The FAA noted that while operators should only use approved cargo configurations, there is no specific documentation prohibiting the carriage of cargo in the cabin of Part 27 rotorcraft.