What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2008-03-11 involved a aircraft, registration N417EV, at PE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the crew's failure to plan and execute the flight in consideration of the forecasted weather, leading to a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). Contributing factors included non-compliance with VFR regulations and organizational ambiguity between the aircraft operator and the lessor.

Bell 412EP crashes into mountain in Cajamarca, killing 10

A Bell 412EP helicopter crashed into a mountainside in Peru, resulting in the deaths of all 10 people on board due to poor flight planning and adverse weather.

What happened

On March 11, 2008, a Bell 412EP helicopter, registration N417EV, operated by Helinka S.A.C., crashed into the side of Cerro “La Cárcel” in the Santa Cruz Province of Cajamarca, Peru. The aircraft, which was under contract for mining operations, departed from the remote La Granja camp at 15:12 UTC, bound for Chiclayo under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).

During the flight, the crew navigated at low altitudes through the Chancay River valley. As the aircraft approached the mountains, it performed a left turn and struck a near-vertical rock face at an altitude of approximately 3,600 feet. The force of the impact and the subsequent rupture of fuel tanks triggered an intense post-impact fire. All 10 fatalities (two crew members and eight passengers) were killed by the impact and the ensuing blaze.

The investigation

The CIAA investigation examined the flight planning, meteorological conditions, and the organizational relationship between the operator, Helinka S.A.C., and the aircraft lessor, Evergreen Helicopters Inc. Investigators analyzed the flight path, which had been planned for 8,000 feet, and compared it against satellite meteorological data showing the presence of Cumulonimbus clouds and severe weather in the accident area.

Technical analysis of the aircraft's systems and the flight data recorder (FDR) was limited due to the total destruction of the airframe. However, the investigation focused on the crew's decision-making process and the lack of clear operational boundaries between the two companies involved in the aircraft's management.

Findings

The primary cause of the accident was deficient flight planning and execution by the crew, who failed to account for the deteriorating weather forecast along the route.
The crew made an inadequate decision by continuing the flight toward Chiclayo rather than returning to the camp to avoid the approaching bad weather.
The crew failed to comply with established Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Peruvian Aeronautical Regulations regarding flight in such conditions.
There was an organizational lack of clarity, as the operational policies of Evergreen Helicopters Inc. appeared to take precedence over those of the AOC holder, Helinka S.A.C.
The company's route guide omitted critical operational data for this specific aircraft.

Safety action

The DGAC was advised to review the procedures for increasing fleets through third-party contracts to ensure clear administrative and operational boundaries.
Recommendations were made to update route guides and training programs to ensure all aircraft in a fleet are properly documented and that crews receive refresher training for VFR operations in high-altitude weather.