Accident Agusta-Westland AW119Kx CC-DDR, Wednesday 6 July 2022

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Date:	Wednesday 6 July 2022
Time:	15:23
Type:	Agusta-Westland AW119Kx
Owner/operator:	Rotortec Servicios Aéreos
Registration:	CC-DDR
MSN:	14963
Year of manufacture:	2019
Total airframe hrs:	1108 hours
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Antillanca Ski Center, Los Lagos Region - Chile
Phase:	Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:	Ferry/positioning
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	DGAC Chile
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
A commercial helicopter pilot operating a AW119 MKII heliciopter, was conducting a translational flight within a confined area located at the Antillanca Ski Center, in the Puyehue Commune, Los Lagos Region. During the flight, the aircraft's tail rotor struck tree branches near the movement area. As a result, the pilot executed an emergency procedure, landing the aircraft at the site. The pilot was uninjured, and the aircraft sustained damage to the tail rotor.

Cause
Impact of the helicopter's tail rotor blades against tree branches during a translational flight in a confined area.

Contributing Factors
- Loss of depth perception with the surroundings, preventing an accurate assessment of the safety area for the aircraft's movement.
- Failure to maintain a safe distance between the tail rotor and obstacles (tree branches).
- Not utilizing the support of the maintenance mechanic, who was nearby, to assist with the helicopter's translational movement.

Accident investigation: