What happened
On December 27, 2014, a HB-350B helicopter, registration PT-HNC, crashed into a forested area near the Canal de Bertioga, in the municipality of Bertioga, São Paulo. The flight began at Campo de Marte airport in São Paulo, where the pilot initially flew to pick up passengers at the Iporanga Condominium helipad in Guarujá. After boarding four passengers, the aircraft was en route to the Hospital Albert Einstein helipad in São Paulo when the accident occurred.
The aircraft struck a tree at an angle of approximately 45 degrees before impacting the ground. The impact was followed by a fire that consumed the entire cabin. The pilot and all four passengers sustained fatal injuries at the scene, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the mechanical condition of the engine and the operational environment. The aircraft was equipped with a Rolls Royce 250-C30M turbine, installed via a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). Investigators examined the engine, the Fuel Control Unit (FCU), and the Power Turbine Governor (PTG).
Meteorological data indicated that weather conditions were favorable for visual flight, with visibility between 5,000 and 7,000 meters and calm winds. The pilot was highly experienced in this aircraft type and held a valid commercial pilot license, though he did not hold an instrument rating. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance logs, which showed that all required inspections and weight and balance limits were in compliance.
Findings
- The engine was operational at the time of impact, producing medium to low power.
- No mechanical failures were identified within the engine, the FCU, or the fuel supply system.
- The Power Turbine Governor (PTG) failed due to the forces of the impact.
- The primary reason for the crash remains undetermined, as no specific contributing factor could be factually established beyond the observation of reduced power output prior to impact.