2013 Teorama BK117 collision with power lines (HK4866)

Flight details and accident sequence On July 9, 2013, a Eurocopter Germany BK117 A-4 helicopter, registration HK4866, was operating a non-scheduled commercial transport flight from Ocaña to the corregimiento of San Pablo in Teorama, Norte de Santander, Colombia. The aircraft was owned by Tactical Helicopters LLC and operated by Sociedad Aérea de Ibagué (SADI S.A.S.). It carried five people: a pilot, a copilot, a flight technician, and two passengers. The mission involved transporting two employees of an oil company to a site where a pipeline had recently been damaged by explosives. The helicopter took off at 07:52 local time and was to be escorted by a Colombian Army helicopter due to the presence of subversive groups in the area. At approximately 08:10 local time, while descending toward a landing point marked by smoke, the aircraft struck high-voltage power lines. The lines became entangled in the tail cone near the horizontal stabilizers and the main rotor, causing an immediate loss of control. The helicopter then fell vertically to the ground. The accident was recorded at 08:11 local time in daylight and visual meteorological conditions. ## Damage and casualties The impact destroyed the aircraft completely. All five occupants were killed, with no post-accident fire. The high-voltage power lines were also damaged. The accident site was in a mountainous area in the Catatumbo River canyon, at approximately 1,424 feet above mean sea level, near coordinates N-08°33'48.35, W-73°14'22.09. ## Investigation and findings The investigation was reopened in February and March 2014 after new evidence was provided by witnesses and the airline. The final report was issued by the Grupo de Investigación de Accidentes e Incidentes aéreos (GRIAA) on October 30, 2014. The report noted that the pilot and copilot were properly licensed, medically certified, and not fatigued. Meteorological conditions were suitable for safe operation, with visibility greater than 10 kilometers, calm winds, and a temperature of 22°C. The aircraft was not required to carry a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder under Colombian regulations, but a GPS system containing flight data was recovered.