7 fatal · Aerospatiale AS350BA · 2003-09-20 · GrandCanyonWest, AZ, USA
Event
NTSB number
LAX03MA292
Event ID
20031001X01630
Type
Accident
Date
2003-09-20
Location
GrandCanyonWest, AZ, USA
Coordinates
35.985, -113.793334
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
7
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
7
Aircraft
Make
Aerospatiale
Model
AS350BA
Registration
N270SH
FAR Part
135
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The pilot's disregard of safe flying procedures and misjudgment of the helicopter's proximity to terrain, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a canyon wall. Contributing to the accident was the failure of Sundance Helicopters and the Federal Aviation Administration to provide adequate surveillance of Sundance's air tour operations in Descent Canyon.