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ANC24LA009

2023-12-26 · Palmer, Alaska, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

N21FY has since been reassigned. It is now registered to a different aircraft (AIRBUS HELICOPTERS INC AS350B3, built 2024), which was not involved in this event.

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain during the landing approach in flat light conditions.

Factual narrative

The pilot stated that while on approach to land at a remote, snow-covered glacial site, with flat light conditions present, he lost “positive” visual reference, but believed he was in a stable hover. Subsequently, the left landing gear skid contacted the snow-covered terrain, and the helicopter entered a dynamic rollover to the left, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and powertrain system. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Light condition-Flat light-Contributed to outcome
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained
  • — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Identification/recognition-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2023_ANC24LA009.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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