Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain tail rotor clearance from the safety netting during final approach and landing.
NTSB analysis
The commercial pilot was making a positioning flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The pilot said he had shuttled passengers to an oil platform, and was returning to pick them up. He said as he approached the platform helipad, the tail rotor struck the safety netting surrounding the landing area. The pilot said there were no mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the accident, but that the tail rotor gearbox and tail boom were substantially damaged during the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC08CA129 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 28, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Kenai, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Eurocopter AS 350 B2
- N-number
- N352EV
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.