Flight History
On 17 January 2011, a Bell 212 helicopter, registration OB-1767-P, was conducting personnel transport flights between heliports operated by CGGVeritas. The accident occurred during the seventh flight of the day, which was from Helipuerto HP-20 to Helipuerto HP-10. On board were a pilot, a copilot, a cargo master, and two passengers. No cargo was carried in the cabin or on a long line. The flight was conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
The takeoff was performed by the copilot, who also served as an instructor and occupied the left seat. As the copilot increased collective pitch and initiated a hover takeoff, the helicopter experienced a sudden left yaw, followed by a rapid and violent right roll. The main rotor blades struck the ground with power, and the aircraft rolled onto its right side, coming to rest at approximately a 90-degree angle relative to the terrain.
After the accident, the engines and all systems were shut down. The pilot, copilot, cargo master, and two passengers evacuated the helicopter unassisted. All five occupants sustained minor injuries. They were initially treated by CGGVeritas personnel who were near Helipuerto HP-20 and the camp, and later transferred to the "La Peruanita" camp medical post for a checkup.
Aircraft Damage
The Bell 212 helicopter (serial number 30855) sustained substantial damage, including: breakage and detachment of the main rotor and main transmission box; breakage of the tail rotor; compression damage to the right side stabilizer of the tail boom; detachment of the main transmission cover; rupture of the right skid; and deformation of the left skid. Potential damage was also noted to both engines, the drive shaft, and the right side of the fuselage. Final determination of damage was the responsibility of the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC). No damage occurred to third parties, private property, or the ecosystem.
Personnel Information
The pilot-in-training was Victor Manuel Prietto Angeles, a Peruvian national holding a Commercial Helicopter Pilot license. He had a provisional authorization to act as a pilot-in-training on the Bell 212, issued by the DGAC on 5 January 2011 and valid until 4 March 2011. His total flight time was 1,880 hours and 54 minutes, with 20 hours and 30 minutes on the Bell 212 (all accumulated between 5 and 17 January 2011). He had received initial company training in December 2010 and a flight qualification from 12 to 16 January 2011, totaling approximately 18 hours and 24 minutes on the Bell 212.
The instructor pilot was Hector Jose Alvariño Aponte, a Peruvian national holding an Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter license. He had approximately 8,539 hours and 6 minutes total flight time, with 3,585 hours on the Bell 212. He had been employed by Heliamerica S.A.C. since 31 May 2008 as Chief Pilot and Instructor for the Bell 212 and Eurocopter AS350B2/B3. Both pilots held valid medical certificates and had no reported medical or psychophysical issues at the time of the accident.