- ACCIDENT DETAILS
Date: August 10, 2001
Time: 14:35
Location: Near Meadview, Arizona
Operator: Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters of Las Vegas
Flight #: ?
Route: Grand Canyon NP - Las Vegas
AC Type: Aerospatiale AS350 Eurocopter helicoper
Registration: N169PA
cn / ln: 2477
Aboard: 7   (passengers:6  crew:1)
Fatalities: 6   (passengers:5  crew:1)
Ground: 0
Summary: The sightseeing helicopter crashed and burned about 3,700 feet up the 5,600-foot Grand Wash Cliffs just outside the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park. The aircraft was returning to McCarran International Airport where it had originated. Besides the pilot, all victims, including the one survivor, were members of the same family. The pilot's decision to maneuver the helicopter in a flight regime and in a high density altitude environment which significantly decreased the helicopter's performance capabilities, resulting in a high rate of descent from which recovery was not possible. Factors contributing to the accident were high density altitude and the pilot's decision to maneuver the helicopter in proximity to precipitous terrain, which effectively limited remedial options available.
Sources

Return to Home Page

Copyright © Richard Kebabjian / www.planecrashinfo.com