2021 Alaska Airbus AS350B3 helicopter crash
 The helicopter involved in the accident | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | March 27, 2021 |
| Summary | Crashed to the ground; under investigation |
| Site | near Knik Glacier, Palmer, Alaska |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Airbus AS350 B3 |
| Operator | Soloy Helicopters |
| Registration | N351SH |
| Occupants | 6 |
| Passengers | 5 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Fatalities | 5 |
| Injuries | 1 |
| Survivors | 1 |
On 27 March 2021, an Airbus AS350B3 helicopter crashed near the Knik Glacier, Palmer, Alaska. Five occupants died, including Czech billionaire entrepreneur Petr Kellner; one occupant survived.
Aircraft[]
The helicopter involved in the accident was an Airbus AS350B3, registration N351SH.[1]
Accident[]
On 27 March 2021, an Airbus AS350B3 helicopter crashed near the Knik Glacier, Palmer, Alaska during a heliskiing trip in Alaska's backcountry. Five occupants died, one survived. One of the victims was Czech billionaire entrepreneur Petr Kellner.[2][3]
The helicopter crashed into a mountain between Metal Creek and Grasshopper Valley at about 5,500 feet (1,700 m), 10 or 15 feet (3 or 4 m) from the top of the ridge, and rolled some 800 or 900 feet (240 or 270 m) downhill.[4] The missing helicopter was reported to the authorities two hours after the tracking signal stopped.[5]
Investigation[]
The wreckage was moved to Anchorage for investigation. A preliminary report on the accident was published 13 April 2021; according to the preliminary report, GPS data show the helicopter hovered at a low altitude and speed (about one knot, about 1 mph), maneuvering over the ridge in the last three minutes of the flight. It crashed at about 18:35 AKDT.[6]
References[]
- ^ Aviation Safety Network. "ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 249214". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
- ^ "Helicopter crash in Alaska backcountry ski trip kills 5". AP NEWS. 28 March 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ Vigdor, Neil; Albeck-Ripka, Livia (29 March 2021). "Czech Billionaire Is Among 5 Killed in Heli-Skiing Crash Near Alaska Glacier". Archived from the original on 2021-12-28 – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ "NTSB: Helicopter crash that killed 5 occurred near top of high ridge above Knik Glacier". Anchorage Daily News. 29 March 2021.
- ^ "2 hours lapsed between last signal and overdue report on fatal Alaska helicopter flight". Anchorage Daily News. March 31, 2021.
- ^ Burke, Jill; Cordova, Gilbert. "NTSB releases preliminary on deadly helicopter crash near Knik Glacier". www.alaskasnewssource.com.
- Aviation accidents and incidents in the United States in 2021
- Accidents and incidents involving helicopters
- March 2021 events in the United States
- 2021 in Alaska
- Aviation accidents and incidents in Alaska