Flight History
On 9 January 2014, SASA S.A. scheduled Bell 206L3 HK4462 for personnel transport flights in northeastern Antioquia. The helicopter departed Medellín at 10:37 local time with two occupants, arriving at Puerto Berrio at 11:28. It then flew to the military base "El Pajal" with four occupants, landing at 12:16. After a return flight to Puerto Berrio, the helicopter departed again at 13:32 with five occupants, including two military personnel, heading to "El Pajal" via waypoints DIPRA and ANI. The pilot reported positions at 13:45 and 14:03 to Medellín Control. No further communications were received.
At 14:32, the company attempted to contact the helicopter without success. Search efforts began, led by the Colombian Air Force and SASA. The wreckage was sighted at 14:32 on 10 January at coordinates N07°14'06.60'' W075°08'31.02'', approximately 3.2 NM southeast of the intended destination. Investigators arrived on 11 January.
Injuries
All five occupants—one pilot and four passengers—sustained fatal injuries.
Aircraft Damage
The helicopter was destroyed upon impact with a mountainside. Major damage included destruction of the forward section, detachment of both skids, and partial separation of the tail boom.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 50, held commercial pilot licenses for airplanes and helicopters. He had 3,264 total flight hours, with 2,500 hours on the Bell 206. His last flight check was on 12 December 2013. No relevant deficiencies were found regarding his qualifications.
Aircraft Information
- Make: Bell
- Model: 206L3
- Serial Number: 51538
- Registration: HK4462
- Airworthiness Certificate: 0004324, valid
- Total airframe hours: 7,539:03
- Engine: Allison 250C-30P, serial CAE895607
- The aircraft and engine complied with maintenance requirements and had no relevant discrepancies.
Meteorological Information
No weather measurements were available at the accident site. Satellite imagery indicated light humidity without significant precipitation. Cloud cover was orographic cumuliform of good weather, with no large-scale convective formations.
Communications
The last communication with Medellín Control on frequency 127.2 MHz was routine, with no emergencies reported.
Conclusions
The investigation determined the probable cause of the accident was a sudden engine stoppage due to total loss of lubrication, caused by a projectile impact on the oil sump, which led to the helicopter's collision with terrain. The projectile was attributed to a subversive group operating in the area.