Background
The helicopter, a Bell 505 registration PK-WSP, was operated by PT Whitesky Aviation. On 19 July 2024, it conducted a non-scheduled commercial sightseeing flight from the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Helipad in Bali. The filed flight plan indicated a route over Uluwatu, Nyang Nyang, and Melasti, with a return to GWK Helipad at a cruising altitude of 1,000 feet, following Visual Flight Rules (VFR). One pilot and four passengers were on board.
Flight History
Prior to departure, the GWK Helipad radio operator advised the pilot that another helicopter was conducting a sightseeing flight and that several kites had been observed near the planned route. At 1433 local time (0633 UTC), the pilot contacted the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport Tower controller, advising that the helicopter was airborne from GWK Helipad. After departure, the pilot and passengers noticed several kites at and below the helicopter's altitude.
Accident Sequence
Approximately one minute after reaching cruising altitude, a sound similar to a helicopter striking a kite string was recorded in a video taken by a passenger. Shortly thereafter, the fuel flow began to drop, followed by decreasing altitude parameters. It is suspected that the kite string became entangled around the main rotor and tail rotor pitch link assemblies. The pilot observed the area, identified an open area surrounded by cliffs, and decided to make an emergency landing. The helicopter impacted the tops of several trees on the cliff before coming to rest in a field between man-made cliffs.
Aftermath
The helicopter was found between man-made cliffs. No further details on injuries or damage were specified in the source. The investigation by the Komite Nasional Keselamatan Transportasi (KNKT) concluded that the kite string entanglement was the suspected cause of the accident.