NTSB Factual Report

On March 6, 2003, at 0930 central standard time, an Aerospatiale SA341G helicopter, N16KH, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain following a loss of control during takeoff from Cathedral Mountain, approximately 20 miles south of Alpine, Texas. The helicopter was registered to and operated by a private individual doing business as Bear Helicopters Inc., of El Paso, Texas. The pilot, who held an airline transport pilot certificate, and his three passengers sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 nonscheduled, air taxi flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Marfa, Texas.

According to the pilot, who had accumulated a total of 1,000 hours in the SA341, the flight initially departed from Marfa and flew to Cathedral Mountain (5,000 feet msl), where the helicopter landed. The purpose of the flight was for the passengers to visit real estate property. After visiting the property, the passengers and pilot reboarded the helicopter for a return flight to Marfa. The pilot reported that he initiated the takeoff, entered translational lift, and the helicopter then encountered a gust of wind from the rear. Subsequently, the helicopter lost lift and impacted trees and the ground. The helicopter came to rest in a shallow creek.

Photographs of the accident site revealed that the helicopter's tailboom was separated.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain translational lift, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent of the helicopter during takeoff. A contributing factor was the gusty tailwind condition.