NTSB releases report of 2024 helo crash near Knik Glacier

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released the final report of their findings from a helicopter accident last summer near Knik Glacier.

On August 18, 2024, a flightseeing helicopter crashed in the Chugach Mountains in windy conditions near Knik Glacier on Sunday, authorities reported.

The helicopter, a four-seat Robinson R44, operated by Alpha Aviation, which bases tours out of Alaska Glacier Lodge, departed with the three other helicopters shortly after noon for a group tour of mountains near Mount Goode, when it crashed just below a site at 2,800 feet where the pilot originally planned to set down.

Initial reports from the Federal Aviation Administration described the incident as a hard landing that resulted in no injuries, but was later updated to reflect three passengers with minor injuries.

The final report, released on May 26, stated that the pilot reported that, while on a straight in approach to a remote landing site in an area of mountainous terrain, the helicopter experienced strong gusty wind conditions and down drafts. The pilot attempted to abort the landing to no avail.

The helicopter “impacted terrain” and rolled over, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom and main rotor drive system. The report indicated that the pilot had reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have prevented normal operations.

At the time of the accident, the pilot reported the wind was 30 knots, with wind gusts of 40 knots. Additionally, a passenger reported that enroute to the landing area, the pilot had stated the helicopter had a 30-knot head wind.

According to the report, the operator’s operating procedures manual states that if the wind is over 30 knots “DO NOT LAND” at the landing zone (LZ). According to the operator, pilots are required to fly over the LZ to determine wind direction and condition before attempting to land.

The report states that probable cause and findings had determined that the pilot failed to follow the operator’s procedure manual and attempted to land at a remote landing zone in high wind conditions. “Contributing factor was the pilot’s decision to not conduct a fly over of the landing site to determine wind condition which resulted in a loss of control during landing.”