What happened
On January 17, 2011, at approximately 18:38 UTC, a Bell 212 helicopter, registration OB-1767-P, was performing a routine personnel transport flight between helipads for the company CGGVeritas. The aircraft was departing from Helipad HP-20 in the Camisea region of Cusco, Peru, en route to Helipad HP-10.
As the pilot instructor, operating from the left seat, increased collective power to initiate a hover, the aircraft experienced a sudden left yaw followed by a rapid and violent right-side tilt. This motion caused the main rotor blades to strike the ground with significant force, resulting in the helicopter overturning to a 90-degree position on its right side. All five occupants—including the pilot, co-pilot, a cargo master, and two passengers—evacuated the aircraft safely. While there were no fatalities or serious injuries, all five individuals sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation focused on the sequence of events during the takeoff phase and the physical conditions of the departure site. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, which showed the helicopter was airworthy and compliant with all required inspections. The investigation also reviewed the flight crew's training records, noting that while the pilot instructor was fully qualified, the pilot in instruction was operating under a provisional authorization.
Technical analysis of the helipad revealed that the surface of HP-20 was inclined at an angle of between 5° and 7°. Furthermore, the investigation found that the company's helipad documentation did not accurately reflect the actual configuration of the site, as it failed to describe the presence of a second platform at the location.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a dynamic rollover that occurred so rapidly that the crew was unable to take corrective action.
- The inclination of the helipad (5° to 7°) acted as a contributing factor, as this slope was not properly documented in the operator's operational charts.
- The crew had not completed a takeoff/landing weight and center of gravity calculation for the flight.
- The flight crew's training programs lacked specific instruction regarding static and dynamic rollover phenomena or the procedures outlined in FAA Advisory Circular 90-87.
- The helipad had been accepted as suitable for operations by a company pilot only nine days prior to the accident.