Sightseeing Flight Went Down December 7th, 2011

As part of its continuing investigation into the December 2011 crash of a tour helicopter in Henderson, Nevada, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has opened the public docket.

On December 7 at 4:30 Pacific Standard Time, a Eurocopter AS350-B2, operated by Sundance Helicopters as flight Landmark 57, crashed in mountainous terrain approximately 14 miles east of Las Vegas. The flight, a sightseeing tour, departed Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS) en-route to the Hoover Dam area was operating under visual flight rules. The helicopter impacted in a narrow ravine in mountainous terrain between the cities of Henderson and Lake Mead. The pilot and four passengers were fatally injured.

The information being released is factual in nature and does not provide any analysis. Included in the docket are photographs and 71 documents totaling more than 1400 pages including interview summaries, crew statements, component examinations, maintenance records and other documents.

Additional material will continue to be added to the docket as it becomes available. Analysis of the accident, along with conclusions and a determination of probable cause will come at a later date when the final report on the investigation is completed.

FMI: http://go.usa.gov/vrW