What happened
On September 22, 2015, an Airbus Helicopters AS350B3, registration OB-1941-P, operated by Heliflight Perú S.A.C., crashed in the Cusco region of Peru. The flight departed from the Quillabamba Military Base Helipad at 16:07 local time, bound for Cusco International Airport. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and four passengers.
At approximately 16:31 local time, while attempting to traverse the Andes Mountains via the Abra Málaga Pass, the helicopter struck the slope of Mount Raquipacti (Nevado Verónica) at an altitude of approximately 15,27 and 5 feet (4,629 meters). The impact and subsequent post-crash fire resulted in the five fatalities of all persons on board. The wreckage was located following reports from local residents and search efforts.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by the CIAA established that the aircraft was performing a right-hand descending turn at the time of impact. The investigation examined the pilot's flight experience, the meteorological conditions, and the operational procedures of the operator. Investigators noted that the flight was being monitored in real-time by the company's Operations Control Center (CCO) via the Blue Sky Network until communication was lost at 16:30 local time.
Findings
- The pilot experienced a loss of situational awareness while attempting to cross the mountain range under deteriorating weather conditions.
- The flight transitioned from Visual Flight Rules (VFR) to conditions where visual references were lost, leading to a Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT).
- The flight planning relied on outdated satellite meteorological information, which prevented the pilot from recognizing the worsening weather along the route.
- There was a lack of adequate communication links between the aircraft and the company's Operations Control Center to provide real-time weather updates.
- The aircraft's maintenance system had not installed certain communication equipment required by Peruvian aeronautical regulations.