Were there any fatalities in the 27 Dec 2019 AIRBUS AS350B2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 7 fatalities.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules (VFR) into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which resulted in the collision into terrain. Contributing to the accident was Safari Aviation Inc.’s lack of safety management processes to identify hazards and mitigate the risks associated with…

Helicopter Collides with Terrain on Kauai, Killing Seven (N985SA)

Q: What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 27 Dec 2019 involved an AIRBUS AS350B2, registration N985SA, operated by Safari Aviation Inc., at Kekaha, HI.

On December 27, 2019, an AIRBUS AS350B2 (registration N985SA) operated by Safari Aviation Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Kekaha, HI. 7 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules (VFR) into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which resulted in the collision into terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB.

An Airbus AS350 B2 helicopter, N985SA, operated by Safari Helicopters, crashed into a wooded area on Kauai, Hawaii, on December 26, 2019, resulting in seven fatalities.

Accident Overview

On December 26, 2019, about 1657 Hawaii standard time, an Airbus AS350 B2 helicopter, registered as N985SA, was destroyed when it collided with terrain in a remote, wooded area approximately 11 miles north of Kekaha, Hawaii, on the island of Kauai. The accident occurred during a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand air tour conducted under visual flight rules. The helicopter was operated by Safari Aviation Inc., doing business as Safari Helicopters.

Occupants and Fatalities

The pilot and six passengers were fatally injured in the crash. No other occupants were on board.

Aircraft and Operator Information

The aircraft was an Airbus AS350 B2 helicopter. Safari Aviation Inc., operating as Safari Helicopters, was the operator. The flight was conducted as a Part 135 on-demand air tour under visual flight rules.

Accident Location

The accident site was located in a remote, wooded area about 11 miles north of Kekaha on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. The terrain was rugged and isolated.

Investigation

An investigation into the accident is being conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board. Further details regarding the cause of the crash have not been released at this time.