What happened
On October 29, 2009, a Eurocopter AS350B2 (FX2), registration OB-1909-P, operated by HELINKA S.A.C., was performing a cargo and passenger transport flight for South American Exploration (SAE) in the Loreto region of Peru. The flight departed from the Base Chambira helipad, bound for the Volante 36 seismic site.
As the aircraft was performing its final approach to the Volante 36 landing site, the engine suffered a sudden loss of power. The pilot attempted an emergency autorotation maneuver; however, the altitude was insufficient to complete a safe landing. Approximately 13 minutes after the power loss, the helicopter struck a tree roughly 20.5 meters in height. The impact caused the cockpit structure to disintegrate, and the aircraft subsequently fell out of control to the ground.
The accident resulted in two fatalities (the pilot and one passenger) and one serious injury. One additional passenger survived with minor injuries.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the pilot's credentials, and the operational circumstances. Investigators reviewed the engine's 150-hour inspection records and found that the inspection had been signed off as completed despite the lack of necessary test benches for specific checks. Additionally, errors were identified in the references used for certain inspection procedures within the Honeywell engine maintenance manual.
While the investigation noted that two Airworthiness Directives had not been addressed, these were not determined to be contributing factors to the crash. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's approved inspection program had not yet incorporated specific requirements from the Heli-Lynx STC SH06-5.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the sudden loss of engine power during the final approach phase for reasons that remained undetermined.
- The pilot's altitude during the engine failure was too low to successfully execute an emergency landing.
- Maintenance discrepancies were identified, including an incomplete 150-hour engine inspection where certain checks were not properly performed despite being documented as complete.
- The aircraft sustained extensive damage, including the destruction of the cockpit, separation of the tail rotor, and damage to the main rotor blades and transmission.