HESLO Dynamic Rollover in Alaska (Trans Aero AS350B3 N354LA)
On 25 July 2018 Trans Aero Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 N354LA was damaged in a Helicopter External Sling Load (HESLO) accident 23 miles from Kobuk, Alaska.
Airbus AS350B3 N354LA After Dynamic Rollover Doing HESLO in Alaska (Credit: Trans Aero via NTSB)
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) explain in their safety investigation report (published 27 May 2021) that the pilot had 5061 hours of flying experience, 225 on type and was transporting equipment in support of remote mining operation using a 100-foot long-line.
During takeoff, and while preparing to lift the external sling load, he inadvertently allowed the helicopter to drift laterally to the right and the right skid struck the ground, resulting in a dynamic rollover. The helicopter continued to roll to the right, and the main rotor blades struck the ground.
Airbus AS350B3 N354LA After Dynamic Rollover Doing HESLO in Alaska (Credit: Trans Aero via NTSB)
The helicopter subsequently came to rest on its right side, sustaining substantial damage to the main rotor drive system, fuselage, and tail boom. The pilot sustained minor injuries…
There were no pre-accident failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
The NTSB determined the Probable Cause to be: The pilot’s inadvertent dynamic rollover during takeoff.
Airbus AS350B3 N354LA After Dynamic Rollover Doing HESLO in Alaska (Credit: Trans Aero via NTSB)
Safety Resources
The European Safety Promotion Network Rotorcraft (ESPN-R) has a helicopter safety discussion group on LinkedIn. You may also find these Aerossurance articles of interest:
- Windscreen Rain Refraction: Mountain Mine Site HESLO CFIT
- When Habits Kill – Canadian MD500 Accident
- Loss of Control During HESLO Construction Task: BEA Highlight Wellbeing / Personal Readiness
- Shocking Accident: Two Workers Electrocuted During HESLO
- Load Lost Due to Misrigged Under Slung Load Control Cable
- Keep Your Eyes on the Hook! Underslung External Load Safety
- EC120 Underslung Load Accident 26 September 2013 – Report
- Unexpected Load: AS350B3 USL / External Cargo Accident in Norway
- Unexpected Load: B407 USL / External Cargo Accident in PNG
- Load Lost Due to Misrigged Under Slung Load Control Cable
- Fallacy of ‘Training Out’ Error: Japanese AS332L1 Dropped Load
- Helicopter External Sling Load Operation Occurrences in New Zealand
- Maintenance Issues in Fire-Fighting S-61A Accident
- Impromptu Landing – Unseen Cable
- Inadvertent Entry into IMC During Mountaintop HESLO
- HESLO AS350B2 Dropped Load – Phase Out of Spring-Loaded Keepers for Keeperless Hooks
- Unballasted Sling Stings Speedy Squirrel (HESLO in France)
- UPDATE 28 August 2021: Ditching after Blade Strike During HESLO from a Ship
- UPDATE 25 September 2021: Fuel Starvation During Powerline HESLO
- UPDATE 1 January 2022: Snagged Sling Line Pulled into Main Rotor During HESLO Shutdown
- UPDATE 3 September 2022: Garbage Pilot Becomes Electric Hooker
- UPDATE 18 March 2023: HESLO AS350 Fatal Accident Positioning with an Unloaded Long Line
- UPDATE 5 August 2023: A Concrete Case of Commercial Pressure: Fatal Swiss HESLO Accident
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