What happened
On August 4, 2020, an Eurocopter AS 350B3, registration TG-PME, crashed in the Aldea Chinaboquil area, within the municipality of Chisec, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. The aircraft was operating under normal flight procedures and had maintained standard communications with the Mundo Maya control tower until requesting a frequency change. During the flight, the helicopter entered the terrain in an inverted and perpendicular attitude. The force of the impact, followed by a post-crash fire caused by the engine and fuel, resulted in the death of the pilot.
The investigation
The DGAC/UIA investigation focused on the aircraft's airworthiness, maintenance records, and the pilot's medical and physiological state. The investigation established that the TG-PME was airworthy, properly maintained according to manufacturer standards, and within weight and balance limits. The aircraft was not carrying any cargo or passengers at the time of the accident. Investigators noted that the helicopter was destroyed by the impact and the subsequent fire, making it impossible to determine if any mechanical malfunction contributed to the crash. The investigation also found that the aircraft's Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) was not captured by the COSPAS-SAR-SAT satellite network, hindering the initial search.
Findings
- The pilot experienced a loss of situational awareness, becoming unaware of the aircraft's attitude and its relationship to the ground altitude, which led to the direct impact with the terrain.
- The pilot's medical condition, specifically an incomplete right bundle branch block (RBBB) with potential minor cardiac damage, may have contributed to the accident.
- The pilot's physiological state was a significant factor, as evidence suggested the consumption of alcohol during rest periods and the use of self-prescribed medication (Naproxen).
- The pilot's failure to properly manage known medical risks and the potential for a cardiac event or fainting during altitude changes were critical contributing factors.