What happened
On July 21, 2021, a Bell 407 helicopter, registration LQ-ZPR, was performing a personnel transport flight in the Chaco province of Argentina. The aircraft was operating a flight from Fuerte Esperanza to Fortín Belgrano when the incident occurred during the landing phase. As the helicopter approached the landing site, the downwash from the rotor blades kicked up significant amounts of dust. This debris cloud reduced visibility to the point that the pilot lost sight of the ground, resulting in a hard landing.
While the aircraft sustained damage to the left skid, there were no injuries reported among the two occupants on board.
The investigation
The investigation into the incident focused on the environmental conditions at the landing site and the sequence of events during the final approach. Investigators examined the impact of rotor-induced dust on pilot situational awareness and the physical state of the aircraft following the contact with the ground. The inquiry assessed the damage to the landing gear and the operational circumstances of the flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the hard landing was the reduction in visibility caused by dust kicked up by the rotor blades during the approach.
- The loss of visual reference to the ground prevented the pilot from executing a controlled touchdown.
- The aircraft, a Bell 407, sustained minor damage specifically to the left skid.