You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.
| Date: | Saturday 9 January 2021 |
| Time: | 13:30 LT |
| Type: |  Hughes 500D (369D) |
| Owner/operator: | HiLine Helicopters |
| Registration: | N8612F |
| MSN: | 570142D |
| Year of manufacture: | 1977 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 21451 hours |
| Engine model: | Allison 250-C20R |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Winthorp Ice Rink, Winthorp, Okanogan County, WA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Landing |
| Nature: | Ferry/positioning |
| Departure airport: | Darrington, WA (1S2) |
| Winthrop, WA | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot reported that, while landing in a snow-covered, unimproved landing zone, the helicopter drifted rearward, the tail rotor struck a snowbank, and the helicopter began to spin to the right. The pilot reduced the throttle setting to off and applied left pedal to reduce the spin, but the helicopter drifted to the right and the right skid impacted snow. The helicopter subsequently rolled over and impacted terrain. The tailboom and the main and tail rotor drive systems were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to adequately monitor the environment which resulted in a collision with a snowbank and subsequent loss of control.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB WPR21LA084
Location
Media:
A small helicopter crashed in Winthrop between the @WinthropRink and Methow River Lodge. Big response, but no apparent injuries. Witness I talked to said they were attempting to land, clipped a snowbank. Hoping everyone is ok! @MethowNews @winthropwa pic.twitter.com/RAlwNwE9Qh
— Randy (@RandyChirps) January 9, 2021
Bad day for aviation in Winthrop wA today. pic.twitter.com/Efw9hpqPcD
— Shannon Huffman Polson, Speaker, Author, Veteran (@ABorderLife) January 9, 2021
'Surreal': Helicopter goes down near Winthrop ice rink https://t.co/2SznDrsBsB
— KING 5 News (@KING5Seattle) January 10, 2021
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 09-Jan-2021 23:52 | Geno | Added |
| 10-Jan-2021 01:22 | Geno | Updated [Location, ] |
| 10-Jan-2021 04:13 | RobertMB | Updated [Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Location, Nature, Source, Damage, Narrative, ] |
| 11-Jan-2021 10:23 | Aerossurance | Updated [Location, Nature, Source, Embed code, Narrative, ] |
| 06-Jul-2022 17:22 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Other fatalities, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Embed code, Narrative, Category, Accident report, ] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2025 Flight Safety Foundation