History of Flight
On May 6, 2016, at about 1900 Alaska daylight time, an Airbus (formerly Eurocopter) AS 350 B2 helicopter, registration N94TH, collided with snow-covered mountainous terrain approximately 4 miles southeast of Skagway, Alaska. The flight had departed from a remote landing site on the Denver Glacier. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The helicopter was operated by TEMSCO Helicopters, Inc., under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a visual flight rules internal-cargo company flight. Company flight following procedures were in effect.
The flight originated from a heliport at the operator's headquarters in Skagway about 1840, landed at the remote site for several minutes, and departed for the return flight about 1852. The purpose of the flight was to transport dog camp personnel and dogs from Skagway to a remote dog camp on the Denver Glacier. The pilot was scheduled for seven continuous roundtrip flights that day. Weather delays prevented early operations; the pilot began flights at 1645 after the wind dropped. He completed two roundtrips, then three more, and a sixth trip before the accident.
During the approach to the dog camp on the sixth flight, the passenger reported that clouds were moving in and visibility was reduced. After landing and unloading, the pilot departed. The helicopter was observed making multiple 360° turns before turning north and east. The base manager lost radio contact and initiated search. The wreckage was located about 2 miles northeast of the dog camp at an elevation of about 4,200 ft mean sea level.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 66, held a commercial pilot certificate with a rotorcraft-helicopter rating and private pilot privileges for airplane single-engine land. He did not have a helicopter instrument rating. His total aeronautical experience was about 7,190 hours, with about 5,700 hours in the accident helicopter make and model. In the 90 and 30 days before the accident, he flew 5 and 3 hours, respectively. His most recent second-class medical certificate was issued February 27, 2016, with a requirement to wear corrective lenses. The base manager, age 30, held a commercial pilot certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter and instrument helicopter ratings, with about 3,445 total hours.
Aircraft Information
The 1991-model helicopter was originally manufactured as an AS 350 B and later converted to an AS 350 BA and then to an AS 350 B2. It was equipped with a Safran (formerly Turbomeca) Arriel 1D1 turboshaft engine. At the time of the accident, the airframe had accumulated 10,190.5 flight hours, and the engine had 4,281.6 hours. The most recent inspection was completed December 17, 2015. No uncorrected mechanical discrepancies were found.
The helicopter was not equipped with a radar altimeter. The cabin was configured to transport internal cargo, with two wooden dog boxes stacked vertically behind the front seats, secured by two cargo straps. The combined weight of the dog boxes and related items (205 pounds) was not included on the cargo manifest or weight and balance record. For all six flights, the total weight of dogs plus boxes exceeded the rear cabin floor structural limitation of 682 pounds.
Meteorological Information
At 1853, the Skagway Airport reported wind from 210° at 19 knots gusting to 28 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 8,000 ft, temperature 53°F, dew point 37°F, and altimeter 29.81 inches of mercury. The dog camp reported snow, fog, and low ceilings earlier, with improving conditions later. At the time of the accident, the area experienced snow, low visibility, and strong winds up to 30-40 mph, with gusts to 70 mph near the wreckage.
Wreckage and Impact Information
All major components of the helicopter were found at the main wreckage site, in steep, mountainous terrain covered with deep snow at about 4,200 ft msl near a frozen glacial lake. The fuselage was lying on its left side with the nose oriented south. The cockpit was severely deformed; the tailboom separated. The main rotor blades exhibited damage consistent with multiple terrain strikes while under power. No preimpact mechanical anomalies were noted during the onsite examination and subsequent wreckage examination.