Synopsis
On 29 October 2025, at approximately 0207 UTC, an Airbus AS350B3e helicopter, registration 9N-AMS, operated by Altitude Air Pvt. Ltd., sustained substantial structural damage during a landing accident at Lobuche Helipad, Solukhumbu, Nepal. The helicopter was conducting a rescue charter flight from Lukla. The sole occupant, the pilot-in-command, was uninjured.
History of Flight
The helicopter had completed five uneventful passenger and cargo flights within the Solukhumbu district earlier that day. For the accident flight, the pilot was assigned a rescue charter to evacuate two individuals from Lobuche. The helicopter departed Lukla at 0157 UTC after obtaining all required operational clearances. The pilot reported normal visual conditions and no abnormalities en route.
Upon arrival at Lobuche, the pilot observed that the intended landing area was covered with loose snow. The helipad, slightly elevated by rocks, was covered with fresh snow, creating the illusion of a smooth, seamless surface. Boundary rocks at the edge of the helipad were visible. No ground personnel or marshaller were present at the designated landing site.
During touchdown, the pilot experienced slight instability on the skids, likely caused by misalignment on an uneven portion of the helipad. In an attempt to stabilize the helicopter, the pilot moved the aircraft slightly forward. This caused the rotor wash to lift loose surface snow, producing a whiteout. The pilot subsequently lost all external visual references, and the main rotor struck the ground. The tail boom disintegrated and the main body of the helicopter toppled. The aircraft came to rest approximately 11 meters from the intended landing area.
Injuries to Persons
No injuries occurred. The pilot was uninjured, and there were no other casualties.
Damage to Aircraft
The helicopter sustained substantial structural damage. The tail boom disintegrated and the main body toppled.
Other Damages
None.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a valid CAAN license with ratings for the AS350 series. The pilot had accumulated 8095 total flight hours, including 6070 hours on type. Medical certificate was valid. No previous accidents, incidents, or enforcement actions were noted.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was an Airbus AS350B3e, serial number 8413, manufactured in June 2017. Total time since new was 6252 hours. The certificate of airworthiness was valid until 19 August 2027. The engine was a Safran Arriel 2D with 1548 hours since new.
Meteorological Information
No MET station existed at Lobuche. The pilot reported light and variable wind, reduced and deteriorating visibility, fresh snow on the ground, and no significant clouds.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The main rotor struck the ground, leading to tail boom disintegration and the helicopter toppling. The wreckage came to rest about 11 meters from the intended landing area.
Survival Aspects
The pilot exited the helicopter uninjured and contacted Lukla Tower and the company’s CAAN Principal Operations Inspector via local telephone. Another company helicopter from Lukla transported the pilot to Lukla and then to HAMS Hospital, Kathmandu, for medical assessment.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the most probable cause of the accident was an overcorrection by the pilot-in-command while attempting to counter the misalignment of the skids during a no-hover landing on a snow-covered helipad, which lacked visual markers or cues.