What happened
On January 17, 2015, a Bell 206L-1 helicopter, registration TG-GOL, was performing an approach to land at a soccer field in the municipality of Nueva Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán, Sololá. The flight had originated from La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City.
As the aircraft reduced its speed and altitude to land, the pilot experienced a loss of lateral control. The helicopter entered a series of 360-degree turns around its vertical axis before impacting the ground. The impact was severe, causing the fuselage to fracture, the landing gear to detach, and the engine and transmission to separate from the airframe. The aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The DGAC/UIA investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and had been maintained according to Guatemalan regulations, with its most recent 50-hour inspection completed approximately 24 hours prior to the accident. The investigation found no evidence of mechanical failure or maintenance defects contributing to the crash.
Investigators noted that the engine was producing power at the moment of impact, as evidenced by the condition of the main and tail rotor blades. The investigation focused on the operational environment, noting that the presence of a large crowd at the landing site limited emergency maneuvering options. Furthermore, the investigation established that the pilot's lack of visibility, caused by heavy dust kicked up by the helicopter's own rotor during the approach, prevented an accurate assessment of the terrain and depth.
Findings
- The pilot's decision to land in a high-altitude area without adequately accounting for the engine performance limitations at that density altitude.
- Inadequate risk assessment regarding the landing site, specifically the decision to land in an area with significant obstacles and a high density of people.
- Loss of visual depth perception and situational awareness due to dust obscuring the ground during the final approach.
- The aircraft was at an insufficient altitude to recover once the loss of control occurred.