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| Date: | Tuesday 8 October 2024 |
| Time: | 04:30 |
| Type: |  AgustaWestland AW109SP GrandNew |
| Owner/operator: | IHC Health Services Inc dba Intermountain Life Flight |
| Registration: | N631HC |
| MSN: | 22312 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2013 |
| Engine model: | Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207C |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Kamas, UT -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Landing |
| Nature: | Ambulance |
| Departure airport: | Logan Regional Hospital Heliport, UT (UT06) |
| Kamas, UT | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot of the helicopter reported that he mistakenly added more fuel than was required to complete a mountainous terrain, confined area landing at an elevation of 10,276 ft msl. During his approach to the landing area, the helicopter descended below the tree line preventing a go-around. As the helicopter descended, the pilot increased collective to add power, but he observed a high torque indication of 111% and he felt the “sluggish” performance of the helicopter. The tail rotor effectiveness diminished, an uncommanded right yaw ensued, and the helicopter landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the lower fuselage.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s exceedance of the helicopter’s available power while landing in a confined area, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and a hard landing.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB
https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195279
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=631HC4
https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N631HC/history/20241008/1033Z/UT06/L%2041.65340%20-111.73488
https://aerossurance.com/air-accidents-incidents/aw109sp-helicopter-air-ambulance-mountain-landing-accident-utah/
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GX3jUYcaUAIv3Um?format=jpg&name=large (photo)
Location
Images:
Photo: NTSB
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 09-Oct-2024 17:03 | Captain Adam | Added |
| 15-Nov-2024 20:15 | Captain Adam | Updated [Time, Destination airport, Category, Accident report, ] |
| 08-Apr-2025 19:21 | Captain Adam | Updated [Phase, Source, Narrative, Photo, ] |
| 18-Apr-2025 11:08 | Aerossurance | Updated [Operator, ] |
| 17-May-2025 12:13 | Aerossurance | Updated [Source, ] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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