As part of its continuing investigation into the crash of a Eurocopter AS350-B2 helicopter (N169PA) in Meadview, Arizona on August 10, 2001, the National Transportation Safety Board will open a public docket and release a series of factual reports on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 at 10:00 am.
The helicopter, operated by Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, carrying six passengers and the pilot, was on a sightseeing flight through the Grand Canyon when it collided with mountainous terrain about 4 miles east of Meadview, Arizona. Six people died in the crash. One passenger survived but sustained serious injuries.
The information to be released is factual in nature and does not provide any analysis or statement of cause. It will include investigative group reports in the following areas - Maintenance, Powerplants, Operations, and Structures.
Additional material will be added to the docket as it becomes available. Analysis of the accident, along with conclusions and a determination of probable cause, will come at a later date when the final report on the investigation is completed.
For news media representatives, a CD-ROM containing the docket material will be available from the Office of Public Affairs, NTSB Headquarters (6th floor), 490 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC, beginning at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, August 6, 2003. Docket material also can be obtained from the NTSB's Public Inquiries Branch by calling (202) 314-6551 or from General Microfilm, Inc. (301) 929- 8888.
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