Flight Information
On 19 July 2008, the Sikorsky S-61N, registration N91158, was scheduled to fly a route from Malvinas to several heliports including Cashiari 3, 1, 2, K19, and K7. The aircraft carried 11 passengers and 220 pounds of internal cargo. The flight proceeded without incident until arrival at K7 Traza Cashiari.
Approach and Hard Landing
During the downwind leg at the remote heliport K7, the flight crew completed the pre-landing checklist and observed normal parameters. On final approach, the copilot adjusted main rotor RPM to 104% and then to 106%, but power did not increase. He moved the throttles to full, but rotor RPM continued to decrease. At approximately 60 feet horizontal distance and 50 feet altitude, with an indicated airspeed of 5 to 7 knots, the copilot alerted the pilot of torque issues. The pilot reduced collective pitch and moved the cyclic forward in an attempt to reach the landing platform. The aircraft made hard contact with the terrain about 11 meters (36 feet) short of the helipad. The pilot then shut down the engines.
Occupant Status and Evacuation
The pilot verified the condition of all occupants. One passenger reported severe neck pain. The crew ordered an evacuation and requested support from the Malvinas base via radio.
Injuries and Damage
According to the investigation, there were no fatalities, serious injuries, or minor injuries among the 13 occupants (2 crew, 11 passengers). The aircraft sustained a broken right main landing gear, broken tail skid, and dents on the lower right fuselage. No third-party damage occurred.
Crew Information
The pilot, Piers Hamilton Harvey, a New Zealand national, held a commercial helicopter license with Sikorsky S-61N type rating. He had 4,470 total flight hours, including 1,405 on the S-61N. He was providing instruction to copilot Jorge Luis Cárdenas Grados, a Peruvian national, who held a commercial helicopter license and was undergoing training. Cárdenas had 338.5 total hours, with 78 on the S-61N. The pilot had received initial company training in Spanish but did not speak Spanish fluently. The copilot had an ICAO English level of Operational 4.
Aircraft Information
The Sikorsky S-61N (serial number 61424) was manufactured in 1968. It was powered by two General Electric CT58-140-1 engines. The aircraft had accumulated 23,583.9 total flight hours. All airworthiness certificates were valid.