Helicopter crash near Grand Canyon

[Heliport]

KSLTV NewsHelicopter Crashes Near Grand Canyon Rim

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) -- A helicopter being used to survey a wildfire crashed near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, park officials said.

None of the five people on board appeared to have been injured during the Thursday afternoon crash, said canyon Superintendent Joe Alston, although they were taken to a hospital in Kanab, Utah, for evaluation.

The helicopter, which was contracted from a private company, had completed its survey flight and was making a final approach to a landing area when it went out of control, according to a release from Grand Canyon National Park.

The helicopter rolled onto its side once it touched down and was severely damaged, according to the park.

The helicopter was carrying a pilot, three park employees and a Forest Service fire officer.


Other reports say the helicopter was contracted from Las Vegas-based Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters.

I'm told (unconfirmed) it was an MD900.

[RDRickster]

They've had several crashes / incidents on or near the Grand Canyon this year... strange.

[Notar fan]

It was an MD900, owned by Papillon, on contract to the National Park Service. All walked away. Here is the press release with photos.

http://www.nps.gov/grca/media/16oct03.htm (http://)

If I am correct, this is the first 900 accident.

Your link doesn't work. Try NPS (http://www.nps.gov/grca/media/16oct03.htm)

[B Sousa]

Although I work for a competitor, from what I see in Las Vegas is that Papillon has a Good Operation. Its a Big operation though and thus their exposure is a bit bigger. Sadly quite a few accidents in the last few years.
Also something to note since another company in the ditch had a fatal accident a few weeks ago is that there have been big routing changes, which eliminates one route notorius for accident exposure....

[BlenderPilot]

This was the same MD that appeared on the cover of HeliOps magazine a couple of months back.

http://homepage.mac.com/helipilot/PPRuNe/N179PA.jpg

At least Ned took some really amazing and beautiful pictures of this machine before its not so tragic end :)

[B Sousa]

Saw those Pictures in His Magazine. Those folks took hits from some who equated the flying to Hot Dogging Cowboys. Im sure once NTSB/FAA is reminded, it might be a point to consider. Although rumor has it that it was mechanical failure of somesort.
Im sure someone will fill us in the the straight scoop.

[Autorotate]

Blender Pilot - Ouch. Those got me in a bit of ****e but at least the machine wasnt upside down in a paddock when I shot it.

Another uncanny thing is the previous pilot, flying for those images, and who shall remain nameless, except to those who know the initials ET, is actually back there flying a Heli Jet Bell 205 as a replacement aircraft until they get another aircraft sorted out. He thought the irony about this was great.

Will see what I can find out but everything I have heard points to mechanical failure. The guy flying it was very very experienced, both in hours and also on type.

:E