What happened
On June 4, 2025, at approximately 10:55 Alaska daylight time, a Robinson R66 helicopter, registration N962MD, crashed near Kaparuk, Alaska. The aircraft was being operated by Pollux Aviation under Part 135 on-demand charter regulations as part of a contract for bird research. The flight was intended to scout local conditions before a planned relocation to a remote work camp in the North Slope region.
Prior to departure from Deadhorse Airport (PASC), the pilot requested and received a special visual flight rules (SVFR) clearance from the Deadhorse Flight Service Station to depart to the west. At the time of departure, weather conditions at PASC included an overcast ceiling of 500 feet and visibility of 10 statute miles. After departing, the pilot notified the flight service specialist that the helicopter was clear of the airport environment to the west.
ADS-B data indicated that the aircraft proceeded west to a location approximately 25 miles from the airport, maintaining an altitude between 300 and 600 feet mean sea level (msl). The tracking data ended while the aircraft was performing a left turn to the southwest at 575 feet msl. Following the activation of an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) and unsuccessful attempts to contact the crew, a North Slope Borough Search and Rescue Sikorsky S-92 was dispatched. Search crews located the wreckage in a flat, snow-covered area about 25 miles west of Deadhorse.
There were 2 fatal injuries sustained in the accident.
The investigation
An NTSB investigator reached the site on June 7, after weather delays. An initial examination of the wreckage showed that all helicopter components were located at the accident site. The main wreckage exhibited significant down-stroking impact damage and rested approximately 11 feet from the initial impact point. One main rotor blade was found roughly 140 feet to the left of the main wreckage, while the second blade remained attached to the rotor hub. The wreckage was recovered and transported to Anchorage for further examination.