24-Sep-2024Source: Alaska Army National Guard
The Alaska Army National Guard’s 207th Aviation Troop Command, headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, stationed a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter in Juneau, Sept. 19, where AKARNG aviators will fulfill federal training requirements across Southeast Alaska. In addition to their federal mission, the Black Hawk aviators will support, when available, emergency requests by the Alaska Rescue... Read more
6-Feb-2023Source: US Air Force
Undulating waves pitched the 2,000-ton U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Cypress like a bath toy, which was nothing unusual for the vessel while operating in Pacific waters off Alaska. What was out of place was the 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search and rescue helicopter hovering overhead. Fast ropes dropped from the Pave Hawk’s open doors,... Read more
15-Mar-2022
Heli skiiing operation. On final approach to pick up some skiiers, the helicopter impacted the snow and rolled over... Read more
21-Feb-2022Source: US National Guard
Four members of the Alaska Army National Guard’s Golf Company, Detachment 1, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, received the 2021 Rescue of the Year award from DUSTOFF Association in early February for their efforts in a rescue last fall. At approximately 1:30 p.m. Sept. 15, 2021, a sheep hunter activated his InReach... Read more
7-Dec-2021Source: Business Insider
The pandemic wrecked the tourism industry in the northern-most US state of Alaska, but it’s seeing a speedy recovery with one tourism company more than doubling its 2019 sales this year. Anchorage-based Alaska Helicopter Tours is a flightseeing company that flies adventurous customers across the beautiful state, offering aerial views of places like Denali National... Read more
6-Sep-2021
Crashed after skid caught on helipad during take-off... Read more
30-Aug-2021
Rolled off the side of the landing pad... Read more
9-May-2021
Autorotation landing. Skid stuck in ground during run-on landing, causing helicopter nose to hit ground and main blades to slice tail boom... Read more
26-Mar-2021
Helicopter crashed on Knik Glacier, killing five of the six POB. The helicopter appears to have hit the mountain 10-15 feet below a ridgeline at an elevation of about 5,500 feet. The helicopter then rolled 800-900 feet downhill. Alaska State Troopers identified the deceased as: 52-year-old Colorado resident Gregory Harms 56-year-old Czech Republic resident Petr... Read more
15-Mar-2021Source: Alaska Department of Public Safety
This year the Alaska Department of Public Safety has hired two additional full-time commercial helicopter pilots to bring both the Anchorage and Fairbanks-based advanced search-and-rescue helicopters up to full staffing. These new civilian pilots will allow for seven days a week daylight coverage for both HELO2 in Fairbanks and HELO3 in Anchorage starting this summer.... Read more
12-Sep-2020
Struck tree during landing. Sole occupant pilot was not injured... Read more
6-Sep-2020
Port side sliding door separated and hit main rotor disc. Emergency landing... Read more
25-Aug-2020
Engine failed while hovering over mountainous terrain. Heavy landing and helicopter rolled onto its side. Pilot not injured Helicopter was being operated for HighGold Mining, who issued this related press release... Read more
17-Mar-2020Source: Guardian Flight
Guardian Flight, a Global Medical Response (GMR) critical care air transport company, will open its first rotor wing base in Alaska at Kenai Municipal Airport this spring. The Airbus H125 helicopter will serve Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula’s hospitals including South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna and Providence Seward Medical Center in Seward.... Read more
27-Feb-2019Source: Frasca
TEMSCO Helicopters, based in Ketchikan, Alaska has recently taken delivery of a FRASCA built AS350B2 Helicopter Flight Training Device (FTD).TEMSCO, along with NorthStar and Coastal Helicopters will use the FTD to train their staff pilots. The main focus of the FTD will be training new tour pilots on routes and for transitioning from piston helicopters... Read more
18-Feb-2019
Accident pilot was dropping off 2 heli-ski clients at a 6,000 foot msl mountain ridge line site, requiring him to preform a “toe in” landing. While hovering, but with the toes of the skids resting on the up-sloping field, and the two skiers disembarked, the main rotor blades contacted an area of rocky terrain. The pilot then... Read more
28-Sep-2018
One passenger rescued, other three occupants not found – presumed drowned – after helicopter went down in the water. Reuters reported the survivor as 12-year-old Aiden Peppard, and missing were the boy’s father Josh Pepperd, 42, the man’s other son, Andrew Pepperd, 11, and the pilot, David King, 53, owner of Last Frontier Air Ventures. ... Read more
6-Oct-2017Source: Tordrillo Mountain Lodge
Tordrillo Mountain Lodge is the first outfitter in the United States to offer heli-biking, an unrivaled outdoor experience that enables mountain biking access via helicopter to millions of acres of pristine mountain terrain in the breathtaking Tordrillo Mountain range of Alaska. As a top provider of incomparable adventure experiences, Tordrillo Mountain Lodge invested in the... Read more
22-May-2017
Landing accident on a glacier. No injuries to 7 POB... Read more
3-Oct-2016Source: Erickson
Erickson Incorporated (NASDAQ:EAC), a leading global provider of aviation services, has a long-term helicopter support contract with Chugach Electric Association (CEA), which has been extended for two additional years as permitted in the original contract award. The extension will retain Erickson through December 31, 2018. The assigned mission will be to fly essential crew and... Read more
28-Jun-2016Source: Erickson
Erickson has been selected to provide helicopter transportation services for the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in Alaska. Under the firm, fixed-price purchase order, Erickson’s Bell 212 helicopters will transport USCG Research and Development Center (RDC) staff and equipment to various locations in the Nome, Alaska area through the end of August. The contract work began... Read more
2-Jun-2016Source: Erickson
Erickson has been contracted to provide helicopter transport in support of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Inventory Analysis project. Under the five-year contract, Erickson will deliver one exclusive-use, light lift helicopter for charter services to an interagency field crew led by the Alaska DNR Division of Forestry, United States Department of Agricultural... Read more
27-Mar-2016Source: Erickson
Erickson Incorporated (NASDAQ:EAC), a leading global provider of aviation services, is pleased to announce two exclusive-use contracts with the State of Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources for wildfire suppression. Under the contracts, Erickson will provide two medium-lift helicopters; one based in Palmer and another in Fairbanks. The contracts are for one year, with four additional... Read more
2-Mar-2016Source: Airbus Helicopters
Hillsboro Aviation Inc. will become the Airbus Helicopters exclusive commercial aircraft sales agent for the Pacific Northwest and Alaska under an agreement announced Tuesday by officials of Airbus Helicopters Inc. The exclusive sales agent agreement is the first authorized by Airbus Helicopters Inc. in the company’s 47-year history. Based in Hillsboro, Ore. since 1980, Hillsboro... Read more
26-Feb-2016Source: OSHA
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has ordered an Alaska aviation company to pay years of back wages, $100,000 in compensatory damages, and to reinstate a pilot who had been suspended, then fired and ostracized among the close-knit industry for reporting safety concerns at work. Bald Mountain Air Services violated federal... Read more
12-Feb-2016
Capt. Mark Morin, commanding officer of Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, Alaska, awards Lt. John Hess, an Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter pilot, with the Distinguished Flying Cross medal on Coast Guard Base Kodiak, Alaska, Feb. 5, 2016. The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military-wide honor to recognize heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating... Read more
16-Nov-2015Source: KHNS
Scott Sundberg owns Big Salmon Ventures and heliski business Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures, or SEABA. See Full Story... Read more
26-Oct-2015
The pilot reported he was conducting an approach in flat light conditions, visibility was decreasing, and during a turn, the right skid impacted terrain. The pilot reported the helicopter then came to rest on its side and he egressed from the cockpit. Substantial damage sustained to the helicopter. The purpose of the flight was to... Read more
18-Oct-2015Source: HeliHub.com
It has transpired recently that Alaska State Troopers have grounded one of their two AS350B3 helicopters in an attempt to save money, and they only have a guarantee to fly the second until the end of June 2016. A budget decision awaits the future of the unit beyond that date. The Troopers have grounded “Helo-2”... Read more
20-Aug-2015Source: Stars And Stripes
The first of 24 Apache AH-64 attack helicopters arrived Tuesday at their new home, Fort Wainwright, Alaska. See Full Story... Read more
13-Aug-2015Source: ADN
Two AH-64 Apache attack helicopters will arrive at Fort Wainwright, near Fairbanks, on Thursday, the first of what will be a new helicopter battalion. See Full Story... Read more
13-Jul-2015Source: Erickson
Erickson Incorporated (NASDAQ:EAC), a leading global provider of aviation services, is pleased to announce today that the company has named Michael Williams as the company’s Alaska Regional Manager. Erickson is expanding its presence in the Alaskan market and has created this leadership position to directly serve local customers. In his role as the Alaska Regional... Read more
12-May-2015Source: HAI
Each year in the beginning of May, aviation enthusiasts gather in Anchorage for the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering presented by the Alaska Airman’s Association. Now in its 18th season, this is Alaska’s premier, must-see aviation event. The days are getting longer, the trees are budding, and everyone is thinking about flying again. It is a... Read more
6-May-2015Source: Era Group
Era Group Inc. (NYSE: ERA) today reported break-even net earnings for its first quarter ended March 31, 2015 (“current quarter”) on operating revenues of $67.4 million. Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 (“prior year quarter”) was $4.4 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, on operating revenues of $79.4 million. Earnings before interest,... Read more
20-Mar-2015Source: AgustaWestland
The AW169 displayed Heli-Expo by AgustaWestland had straight from Alaska where last month it successfully completed extreme cold weather trials in the framework of civil certification. Excellent performance and system reliability were demonstrated at temperatures down to – 40 C°. This latest testing followed a series of hot & high trials in Arizona last year which... Read more
13-Mar-2015
Tail rotor spider assembly fractured in-flight, resulting in an emergency run-on landing at Merrill Field, Anchorage... Read more
4-Mar-2015Source: Sikorsky
The helicopter will be used for the critical mission of search and rescue operations (SAR) for all NSB residents. The aircraft was selected to provide a safe, efficient and reliable airborne response to aero medical evacuation (medevac), SAR and other emergencies. NSB is located above the Arctic Circle and operates under some of the harshest... Read more
15-Sep-2014Source: Homer News
An omission in Homer’s city code has prompted a proposed revision of where heliports can and cannot be allowed. See Full Story... Read more
28-Jul-2014Source: Alaska Dispatch News
The family of 26-year-old Nickolay Dodov, who died following the March 2012 slide, filed the lawsuit July 16 in U.S. District Court. see full story. File photo... Read more
1-Jul-2014
Force landing on beach... Read more
18-Jun-2014
Uncommanded descent and crashed on landing. Helicopter was carrying a team from the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys... Read more
11-Jun-2014Source: FAA
[Editor note – while we appreciate this is not a rotary-wing story, the ongoing progress in the UAS world will impact our sector before too long] The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration has given approval for energy corporation BP and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) manufacturer AeroVironment to fly an AeroVironment Puma AE for... Read more
11-Jun-2014
Engine and main rotor over-speed event during engine start, resulting in ground resonance and substantial damage to the helicopter’s fuselage, and main rotor drive system.... Read more
28-May-2014
Pilot killed during loadlifting training operations – named here as Thomas Moore. Post crash fire. Ground crew seriously burned in attempts to rescue pilot... Read more
13-May-2014Source: IHST
As part of its ongoing accident analysis, the United States Helicopter Safety Team (www.USHST.org) has categorized U.S. civil helicopter data by U.S. state for the period of 2008 through 2013. It continues to see the West and the South as ground zero for the majority of accidents. Fatal accidents, for the most part, also follow... Read more
8-May-2014Source: DeLorme
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Alaska Flight Services has announced that the DeLorme inReach satellite communicator has been approved for the Enhanced Special Reporting Service (eSRS) program. The inReach is a small satellite communication device that provides automatic GPS flight following, SOS alerting and two-way text messaging from the air. The inReach device has a... Read more
6-May-2014Source: FAA
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration today announced that the University of Alaska’s unmanned aircraft system (UAS) test site is the second of six to become operational. The FAA has granted the University of Alaska Fairbanks a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) authorizing flights by an Aeryon Scout small UAS for animal... Read more
25-Feb-2014Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI), a Lynn Tilton company and leading manufacturer of commercial, air-rescue, military and law enforcement helicopters, announced today that Nome, Alaska-based Bering Air took delivery of a new MD 500E helicopter. Bering Air is one of the largest rotary wing fleet operators in Western Alaska. Their new MD 500E will provide support for the... Read more
25-Feb-2014Source: Airbus Helicopters
The Alaska Department of Public Safety has taken delivery of its second Airbus Helicopters AS35B3e and placed it in service to support operations of the Alaska Wildlife Troopers and State Troopers. DPS purchased the new AS50B3e in order to be able to expand operations from its Anchorage headquarters to Fairbanks, more than 350 miles to... Read more
22-Jan-2014Source: Alaska Dispatch
The March 2012 cornice break that killed 34-year-old Alaska heli-ski guide Christian Arcadio Cabanilla is going to cost the company that employed him – Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures – more than $20,000. See full story... Read more
2-Jan-2014Source: Seattle PI
A Haines helicopter ski operation has agreed to plead guilty to unauthorized use of federal land, according to records filed in federal court this week. See full story The company referred to – SEABA – the initials refer to South East Alaska Backcountry Adventures – have a website at http://seaba-heli.com... Read more
1-Jan-2014Source: FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced the selection of the six public entities that will develop unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and test sites around the country. These congressionally-mandated test sites will conduct critical research into the certification and operational requirements necessary to safely integrate UAS into the national airspace over the next several... Read more
8-Nov-2013Source: HeliHub.com
In an extract from Bristow Group’s second quarter results (period to 30th September 2013), they state A charge of $0.5 million in costs associated with the planned closure of our Alaska operations which related primarily to employee severance and retention costs. We expect to incur approximately $3.5 million in additional costs related mostly to severance... Read more
7-Oct-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Bristow Group have decided to close operations in Alaska, where they currently operate three bases at Fairbanks, Valdez, and Deadhorse. In a recent statement to employees, SVP of Global Operations Jeremy Akel cited the seasonal nature of the work there as being a factor, along with “providing services that are not aligned with [the company’s] desire... Read more
11-Sep-2013Source: Erickson Air-Crane
Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (NASDAQ:EAC) (“Erickson” or “the Company”), a leading global provider of aviation services to a diverse mix of commercial and government customers, and the vertically-integrated manufacturer and operator of the powerful heavy-lift Erickson S-64 Aircrane helicopter, announced today that it had won a two-year contract to provide medical evacuation (“MEDEVAC”) service and support... Read more
5-Sep-2013
Crew of three stranded by weather on a volcano after freezing rain left thick ice on their helicopter. The three were identified as pilot Sam Egli, USGS geophysicist John Paskievitch and University of Alaska-Fairbanks researcher Taryn Lopez... Read more
8-Aug-2013
FAA report that this was on “hauling ops” but this video and the caption below suggest it was on firefighting work... Read more
17-Jul-2013Source: American Eurocopter
Alaska Department of Public Safety is the latest U.S. law enforcement agency to take delivery of a new Eurocopter AS350B3e helicopter and has placed an order with American Eurocopter for a second aircraft to be delivered in early 2014. The new AStar was delivered in a July 2 ceremony to a crew headed by Lt.... Read more
15-Jul-2013Source: Erickson Air-Crane
Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (NASDAQ: EAC) (“Erickson” or “the Company”), a leading global provider of aviation services to a diverse mix of commercial and government customers, and the vertically-integrated manufacturer and operator of the powerful heavy-lift Erickson S-64 Aircrane helicopter, announced today that it has been awarded a contract renewal with the Department of Transportation, providing aerial passenger... Read more
12-Jul-2013Source: Anchorage Daily News
The Alaska State Troopers rolled out their new helicopter – Helo 2 on Thursday, July 11, 2013. see full story and photo... Read more
30-May-2013Source: The Seattle Times
The sole survivor of a deadly 2010 Coast Guard helicopter crash has been removed from the promotion list, a decision his attorney said could end Lt. Lance Leone’s military career. (See Full Story)... Read more
29-Apr-2013Source: HAI
On Thursday, May 2, 2013, join HAI, the FAASTeam, and a diverse panel of industry experts as they discuss regional issues affecting helicopter pilots, accident trends, personal risk assessment, safety initiatives, and more. There will be a free lunch for all attendees; you can obtain the latest safety materials, earn WINGS credit, and network with... Read more
10-Apr-2013Source: Alaska Dispatch
Cliff Evert will receive the Aviation Entrepreneur Award and enter the Alaska Aviation Hall of Fame at an April 12 banquet at the Princess Riverside Lodge in Fairbanks (see full story).... Read more
30-Mar-2013
Impacted terrain while maneuvering during an SAR flight near Talkeetna, Alaska. The airline transport pilot, an Alaska state trooper serving as a flight observer for the pilot, and a stranded snowmobiler who had requested rescue were killed, and the helicopter was destroyed by impact and postcrash fire.... Read more
24-Mar-2013
On landing, pilot looked to ensure tail rotor clearance and inadvertently inputted cyclic. Helicopter rolled up on one skid and main rotor blades struck the ground. Helicopter was involved in load lifting operations... Read more
22-Feb-2013Source: Maritime Helicopters
Maritime Helicopters Inc. celebrates 40 years of service in Alaska this year. Starting with one leased helicopter in 1973, the family-owned business has steadily grown to become the only Bell Helicopter/Textron Service Center in Alaska. Maritime owns a fleet of Bell Jet Rangers, Long Rangers, and 407 models which support marine, petroleum, construction, and government... Read more
19-Feb-2013Source: Anchorage Daily News
Alaska Heliskiing, whose permit was renewed recently despite having broken local and state laws and its own safety plan and having lost a guide and client to an avalanche last year, has had its allotted “skier days” cut 25% for the season (see full story)... Read more
16-Jan-2013Source: US Coast Guard
Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak temporarily deployed two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews to St. Paul, Alaska, Sunday to safeguard the crab fleet and other fishing vessels engaged in winter fisheries in Southwestern Alaska. With an increased number of vessels operating in the region, the Coast Guard deployed the crews to provide a more rapid response... Read more
11-Jan-2013Source: US Army
The Royal Dutch Shell Arctic drilling rig Kulluk Salvage was hit with a storm New Year’s Eve that ran it onto an Alaska island and caused a power outage. The Kulluk is a circular drill barge that does not have propulsion, and needed heavy equipment to restore operational power. The U.S. Army 1st Battalion, 52nd... Read more
15-Dec-2012
Collision with trees during load lift operation. Pilot injured. CADAORS ref 2012P2046... Read more
12-Dec-2012Source: Alaska Dept of Natural Resources
A decision on whether helicopter skiing should be allowed in Kachemak Bay State Park and Kachemak Bay State Wilderness Park has been postponed. The Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation recently received multiple applications to operate commercial helicopter skiing ventures in the state park and state wilderness park and solicited public comment on whether this... Read more
18-Oct-2012Source: Medallion Foundation
Recognizing excellence in aviation safety, Prism Helicopters, Inc. has been honored by Alaska Gov. Parnell as the first helicopter-only commercial operator in Alaska to achieve a Medallion Shield. “We are happy to have accomplished this hallmark in aviation safety,” said Mark Stigar, president of Prism Helicopters, Inc. “We’ve worked hard to achieve the Medallion Foundation Shield –... Read more
26-Sep-2012Source: HAI
On Sept. 24, NTSB Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman named senior air safety investigator Clinton O. Johnson as Chief of the Office of Aviation Safety’s Anchorage, Alaska Regional Office. “It gives me great pleasure to announce Clint’s selection to head the Anchorage office,” said Chairman Hersman. “Clint has deep roots in Alaska and has distinguished himself... Read more