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| Date: | Sunday 21 February 2021 |
| Time: | 19:34 |
| Type: |  Robinson R44 Raven II |
| Owner/operator: | Productos Avícolas S. A. |
| Registration: | TG-VSL |
| MSN: | 14325 |
| Engine model: | Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Sololá -
 Guatemala
|
| Phase: | Take off |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Hotel Atitlan Panajachel |
| Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport (GUA/MGGT) | |
| Investigating agency: | SVIA |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The Robinson R44 II helicopter took off from the International Airport "La Aurora" at 07:17 local time, 13:17 UTC bound for Hotel Atitlan Panajachel, department of Sololá, with the intention to pick up two passengers. Subsequently, on take off from the heliport of the hotel at 10:15 local time, it crashed and fell on the shore of the lake, partially partially submerged in the water.
The pilot and the two passengers were were assisted by people who were near the area.
PROBABLE CAUSES:
The main cause of the accident was that, during takeoff with a tailwind coming from the northeast at 10 knots, the aircraft lost control and lift as it entered the lake, losing Ground Effect, which indicates improper operating procedure. Upon conducting an internal evaluation of the engine with appropriate mechanical equipment, no signs of external or internal failure were found.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://lahora.gt/reportan-percance-de-helicoptero-en-lago-de-atitlan-solola/
https://elperiodico.com.gt/nacionales/2021/02/21/se-reporta-accidente-aereo-en-atitlan-solola/
www.twitter.com/sarrescate
http://144.217.178.124/sistema/uploads/2021/03/04/21_5865725963.pdf
https://cdn.jetphotos.com/full/5/17512_1573437426.jpg (photo)
Media:
#EjércitoGT | #MINDEF | Marina de la Defensa Nacional a través del Apostadero Naval de Atitlán, apoyó a retirar de la Bahía San Buenaventura Panajachel, #Sololá, helicóptero accidentado en horas de la mañana. pic.twitter.com/ivWvj5puDV
— Ejército Guatemala (@Ejercito_GT) February 22, 2021
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 22-Feb-2021 12:20 | gerard57 | Added |
| 22-Feb-2021 12:24 | gerard57 | Updated [Registration, Source, ] |
| 22-Feb-2021 12:35 | RobertMB | Updated [Aircraft type, Location, Source, Narrative, ] |
| 22-Feb-2021 12:42 | gerard57 | Updated [Narrative, ] |
| 22-Feb-2021 12:47 | harro | Updated [Embed code, Damage, ] |
| 05-Mar-2021 20:15 | harro | Updated [Cn, Total occupants, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Embed code, Narrative, ] |
| 24-Mar-2025 08:59 | ASN | Updated [Operator, Narrative, Accident report, ] |
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