Pilot Debrief

BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA 206L-4 near King Salmon, AK — 2023-09-05

Final reportANC23LA071
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Date
2023-09-05
Location
King Salmon, AK, USA
Aircraft
BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA 206L-4
Registration
N193AL
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The failure of both pilots to see and avoid while en route, which resulted in a midair collision.

NTSB narrative

While en route to their respective destinations in visual meteorological conditions at an altitude about 1,000 ft, a float-equipped airplane and a helicopter collided midair. The airplane pilot had broadcast his position over a common traffic advisory frequency for the area. The helicopter pilot was monitoring the common traffic advisory frequency and was also monitoring automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B) data from other aircraft on a moving map display; however, the airplane was not ADS-B equipped. The airplane pilot did not see the helicopter in time to avoid the collision. The helicopter pilot never saw the airplane and was unaware that his helicopter had collided with the airplane until after the accident. As a result of the midair collision, the airplane sustained minor damage to the floats and propeller, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and drive train system.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Helicopter pilot could have visually scanned for other traffic before departure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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