What happened
On December 9, 2003, an AS 350 B3 helicopter, registered as N32TJ, crashed in a forested area approximately 53 NM south of Guajará-Mirim, Brazil. The aircraft, operated by Eagle Jets, LLC, had departed from Trinidad, Bolivia, with the intention of landing in Guayaramerin, Bolivia.
During the flight, the aircraft deviated from its filed flight plan. While attempting to land in a clearing, the helicopter struck trees and shrubs, resulting in severe damage to the airframe. The accident resulted in two fatalities and one serious injury among the three occupants. The wreckage was located the following day by Brazilian Air Force search and rescue teams near the banks of the Mamoré River.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation faced significant challenges due to the disturbance of the crash site. The wreckage and debris had been moved by individuals involved in the initial extraction of the occupants before investigators arrived. Furthermore, the aircraft owner did not express interest in participating in the investigation, which limited the availability of maintenance records, airworthiness certificates, and the pilot's flight experience data.
Investigators noted that the aircraft's flight duration of 3 hours and 7 minutes was extremely close to its declared endurance of 3 hours and 15 minutes. At the time of the accident, the region was experiencing unstable weather with localized rain and low visibility due to cumulus formations. While the occupants were eventually rescued by two helicopters from Bolivia, the investigation could not definitively confirm the aircraft's mechanical status or the pilot's specific flight hours in this type.
Findings
- Inadequate decision-making regarding weather and route deviations.
- The possibility of spatial disorientation due to unexpected instrument conditions.
- Potential fuel exhaustion given the proximity of the flight time to the aircraft's maximum endurance.
- The impact of uncoordinated search efforts by third-party agencies, which disturbed the scene.