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GAA19CA233

2019-04-27 · Juneau, Alaska, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Current FAA registration · N288CH

Make / Model
AEROSPATIALE AS350 B2 ECUREUIL
Year of manufacture
1990 · 29 years old at event
Engine
TURBOMECA ARRIEL 1SER (681 hp)
Seats / Engines
6 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19980911
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A2EBED

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach to landing on a ridge and his failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain, which resulted in a tail rotor strike.

Factual narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that, on the second landing on a "ridge/saddle," while dropping off passengers for recreational skiing. The tail rotor contacted a higher spot of snow-covered terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and mounting surface for the tail rotor gearbox. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, during the second landing on a "ridge" and while dropping off passengers for skiing, the helicopter's tail rotor contacted a higher area of snow-covered terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and the tail rotor gear box's mounting surface. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Task monitoring/vigilance-Pilot - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Snow/slush/ice covered surface-Effect on operation - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2019_GAA19CA233.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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