NTSB Factual Report

On March 15, 2005, about 0830 Alaska standard time, a skid-equipped Aerospatiale AS350-B2 helicopter, N295EW, operated by Last Frontier Air Ventures as a Title 14, CFR Part 91 positioning flight, sustained substantial damage when the main rotor blades collided with a sign while hover taxiing in a parking lot, about 12 miles east of Valdez, Alaska. The solo commercial certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight procedures were in effect. At the time of the accident, the helicopter was retuning to the Tsina Lodge parking lot after dropping a group of skiers.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on March 17, the operator's chief pilot reported that the accident pilot had completed an uneventful approach to the Tsina Lodge parking lot, and was attempting to reposition the helicopter in order to board another load of skiers. He said that as the pilot hovered the helicopter, the "door ajar" light illuminated on the enunciator panel, which distracted the pilot's attention momentarily. The helicopter drifted aft, and the main rotor blades struck a sign post. The chief pilot said that a postaccident inspection of the main rotor blades revealed damage to two of the three main rotor blades. The operator indicated there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the helicopter.

On April 25, it was determined by a repair station that one main rotor blade was unairworthy, and could not be repaired.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object while hover taxiing, which resulted in the main rotor blades striking a sign.