NONE · Aerospatiale AS-350B2 · 2004-05-11 · Skagway, AK, USA
Event
NTSB number
ANC04LA053
Event ID
20040514X00602
Type
Accident
Date
2004-05-11
Location
Skagway, AK, USA
Coordinates
59.368888, -135.36972
Injuries
Highest injury
NONE
Fatal
0
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
5
Total aboard
5
Aircraft
Make
Aerospatiale
Model
AS-350B2
Registration
N60618
FAR Part
135
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
A loss of engine power during cruise flight for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a ditching and submersion of the helicopter when the emergency float system did not deploy. Factors contributing to the accident were improper rigging of the mechanical activation mechanism for the emergency floats by company maintenance personnel, and the failure of the pilot to utilize the electrical firing system to activate the emergency floats.