What happened
On 20 December 2003, a Bell 407, registration N44EA, was participating in a private expedition attempting to circumnavigate the globe from pole to pole. Having reached the South Pole several days prior, the crew was flying north from Patriot Hills toward Fossil Bluff, intending to stop at a fuel cache along the route.
Following a meteorological briefing and consultation with an experienced Antarctic pilot, the crew departed Patriot Hills under clear skies. The flight initially progressed without incident at 1,000 feet aground. However, as the aircraft approached the fuel cache, cloud cover increased. The crew subsequently encountered sudden 'white-out' conditions, resulting in a total loss of visual references to the terrain.
In an attempt to exit the white-out, the crew reversed course but were unable to regain visibility. The commander initiated a descent to land. As the aircraft slowed from 60 kt to approximately 45 kt, the crew remained unable to identify the surface. At a radio altitude of roughly 140 feet, the helicopter struck the ground abruptly. The impact caused the engine to stop and resulted in severe damage to the fuselage, rotor blades, and tail boom, leaving the aircraft destroyed.
The investigation
The investigation established that the crew, consisting of two members, sustained serious injuries, including back and elbow injuries. Despite the extreme -30°C temperatures, the crew successfully activated emergency beacons and satellite communications. They were rescued approximately four hours later by a Twin Otter aircraft.
Investigators reviewed the flight conditions and the crew's decision-making process. The commander noted that the accident could have been prevented had the decision to land been made earlier in the encounter with the white-out conditions. Additionally, the investigation considered the known phenomenon in Antarctica where radio altimeters may provide inaccurate readings when flying over dry snow surfaces.