Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach to landing on a ridge and his failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain, which resulted in a tail rotor strike.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during the second landing on a "ridge" and while dropping off passengers for skiing, the helicopter's tail rotor contacted a higher area of snow-covered terrain.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and the tail rotor gear box's mounting surface.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA233 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 28, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Juneau, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Aerospatiale AS350
- N-number
- N288CH
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1990
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 135 (charter and commuter)
Other records under this N-number
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.