R66 down - 2 fatal - Prudhoe Bay

[edo2000]

About 20 miles west of where I am right now. Near the Kuparuk operations area. It was a wildlife survey flight. Recovery team had not reached the site, last I heard(yesterday afternoon). We are supposed to get snow here later today, which will complicate the process.

Helicopter in fatal crash near Deadhorse was assisting with wildlife survey, company says

Two people died in Wednesday’s crash, according to the NTSB.

alaskapublic.org

 

[sourdough44]

Seems weather may of been an issue, not surprising.

NTSB: Pilot in helicopter crash that killed 2 near Deadhorse received weather clearance

The pilot and sole passenger died in the crash of the Pollux Aviation Robinson R-66 on Wednesday.

www.adn.com

 

[Warlock]

This makes no sense if they are trying to conduct a survey in limited special clear of clouds weather…maybe it’s normal…

 

[edo2000]

They have now recovered the bodies. The operation to recover the aircraft is underway, trying to beat an approaching weather system.

 

[Kenny Phillips]

This makes no sense if they are trying to conduct a survey in limited special clear of clouds weather…maybe it’s normal…

Unless the wildlife they are surveying are easier to find in such weather.

 

[edo2000]

Unless the wildlife they are surveying are easier to find in such weather.

Special VFR out of Deadhorse is pretty typical this time of year. Onshore it is starting to warm up a bit(patches of tundra are visible) and if we get a breeze from any northerly direction the flow is coming directly off the solid icepack. Causes a lot of fog but it is patchy/variable and very close to the surface. Normal flying weather, here.