The United States National Transportation Safety Board has issued a preliminary report for the fatal crash of an Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3 operated by Papillon Airways on May 18.
The pilot of the helicopter was fatally injured and the aircraft was substantially damaged in the accident at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, which occurred as part of a repositioning flight with no passengers on board.
According to the report, “Witnesses reported that the pilot landed and was planning on exiting the helicopter to perform a ‘fluid level check.’ After landing, the pilot exited the running helicopter; shortly thereafter the helicopter became airborne without the pilot at the flight controls.” The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground and rolled over, and the pilot was struck by one or more of the main rotor blades, the report states.
Investigators examined the aircraft on site, and found no abnormalities with the helicopter’s airframe or engine systems.
To read the complete report on the NTSB website, click here.
