Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4 N193AL and Dehavilland DHC-2 N97EL accident near King Salmon, Alaska

Probable cause

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

NTSB analysis

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.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC23LA071 for the full record.