S M & T Aircraft UH
Northway, AK — June 10, 2019
Event Information
| Date | June 10, 2019 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA19CA345 |
| Event ID | 20190617X25249 |
| Location | Northway, AK |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 63.07583, -141.03889 |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
Aircraft
| Make | S M & T Aircraft |
| Model | UH |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 1 |
| Minor | 1 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 2 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate during landing, which resulted in impact with terrain.
Full Narrative
The helicopter pilot reported that, he and the safety pilot were delivering fuel to a remote camp. During short final, with the safety pilot on controls, about 50 feet above the ground, the helicopter's rate of decent increased. The safety pilot raised the collective, but the helicopter continued to descend, and the main rotor RPM began to decay. The helicopter then yawed to the right, rolled to the left, and impacted terrain.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor blades.
The helicopter pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.