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Atlas / NTSB / ANC24LA009

NTSB CAROL · Event

Event ANC24LA009

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

Registry · N21FY

FAA Aircraft Registry record.

Make / Model

AIRBUS HELICOPTERS INC AS350B3

Year of manufacture

2024

TCDS

H9EU · AIRBUS HELICOPTERS

Engine

SAFRAN ARRIEL 2D (952 hp)

Seats / Engines

7 seats · 1 engine

Last airworthiness date

20240625

ADS-B equipped

Yes — Mode-S A1B7BD

Registrant of record

H125 AVIATION LLC

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

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

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or 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 ↗.