History of the Flight
On 28 November 2012, a Bell 407 helicopter registered PK-WSC, operated by PT. Whitesky Aviation, was conducting a test flight to evaluate the autopilot system following maintenance. The planned route was from Balikpapan to the Batu Kajang heliport and return. On board were one pilot, one engineer on board (EOB), one flight operation officer (FOO), and three off-duty employees.
The helicopter departed Sepinggan Airport (WALL/BPN) at 0705 UTC. During the outbound leg, the pilot and engineer tested the autopilot and identified a problem. The helicopter landed at Batu Kajang area, then returned toward Sepinggan Airport as planned.
While returning, approximately 15 nautical miles from Sepinggan, air traffic control instructed the helicopter to descend to 1,000 feet ASL due to traffic on final approach. Approaching Balikpapan above Penajam Bay, the pilot observed heavy rain in the direction of Sepinggan Airport and decided to descend to maintain good visibility. The helicopter descended to 500 feet ASL, then to 100 feet ASL, continuing visual flight below the cloud layer.
At about 0805 UTC, the flight crew and passengers heard an unusual sound. The pilot climbed to 50 feet ASL and executed a 180-degree turn to investigate. They observed a sailing speedboat with occupants. The pilot perceived that the helicopter's landing skid had contacted part of the speedboat. Cockpit indicators showed no anomalies, and the speedboat continued sailing, so the pilot decided to proceed to Sepinggan.
The helicopter landed safely at Sepinggan Airport at 0815 UTC.
Injuries and Damage
At 0840 UTC, PT. Whitesky Aviation received a notification from the local search and rescue office that a speedboat, carrying one motorist and seven passengers, had been involved in a collision with a helicopter. The motorist sustained fatal injuries. All six helicopter occupants—one pilot, one engineer, one flight operation officer, and three off-duty employees—were uninjured. The helicopter sustained no damage, and the speedboat also reported no damage.
Aircraft and Personnel Information
The helicopter was a Bell 407, registration PK-WSC. The pilot, aged 35, held a Commercial Pilot License (Helicopter) with type ratings for Bell 407, 412, and 206. His total flight time was 1,741 hours, including 500 hours on the Bell 407. His last proficiency check was on 8 February 2011, and his medical certificate was valid until 14 May 2013 with a corrective lenses limitation. The engineer on board, aged 30, held an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer License (AMEL) with a Bell 407 type rating. Further personnel details were not specified in the preliminary report.
The helicopter had no flight recorders installed (not required). The weather at the time included heavy rain observed by the pilot. No other meteorological data were provided.
Conclusion
The preliminary report did not state a probable cause for the collision. The investigation was ongoing at the time of the report's publication.