What happened
On 19 July 2024, a Bell 505 helicopter, registration PK-WSP, was conducting a scheduled sightseeing flight near the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Helipad in Bali. The aircraft was flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) at an altitude of approximately 1,0/00 feet, carrying one pilot and four passengers.
During the flight, the pilot and passengers observed several kites in the vicinity. Shortly after reaching cruising altitude, a sound consistent with a kite string striking the aircraft was recorded. Following this impact, the helicopter experienced a drop in fuel flow and a loss of altitude. The pilot attempted to manage the situation and identified an open area near some cliffs to perform an emergency landing. During the descent, the aircraft struck the tops of several trees before coming to rest in a field. There were no fatalities reported in the incident.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by the KNKT focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft and the environmental factors present during the flight. Investigators examined the wreckage and found that kite strings were wrapped around both the main rotor and the tail rotor masts.
Analysis of the flight path and local regulations revealed that the kite involved was flying significantly higher than the permitted 300-foot limit established by Bali Provincial Regulation No. 9 Year 2000. The investigation also reviewed the operator's safety management systems and the effectiveness of local enforcement regarding kite-flying restrictions in the region.