Bell 412 accident near Santa Rosa, Ve, October 15, 2011
On October 15, 2011 at about 7:33 pm local time, a Bell 412 (helicopter), registered YVO126, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Santa Rosa. It was a business flight under non-U.S. private rules. 1 person was seriously injured and 5 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 15, 2011 · about 7:33 pm local time
- Place
- Santa Rosa, Venezuela · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 5 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 412 UNDESIGNAT · all 412s on the register
- Registration
- YVO126 · no longer on the register · serial 33137
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On October 15, 2011, at 1933 UTC, a Bell 412SP, YV0126, registered to and operated by Electrificacion del Caroni (EDELCA), as a business flight, collided with trees while on approach to Macagua Airport, Santa Rosa, Venezuela. The Venezuelan Government reported the helicopter as being destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airline transport rated pilot and four passengers reported minor injuries. One passenger received serious injuries. The flight originated from Aerodromo La Paragua SVGA), Bolivar, Venezuela at 1843 UTC. This report is for informational purposes only, and contains only information released by or obtained from the Government of Venezuela. This investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Venezuela. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Officina de Inspectoria Aeronautica Parque Central Torre Este, Piso 34 Apartado de Correos 17587 Caracas, Venezuela Phone: 58-212-201-3828 Fax: 58-212-509-2425
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR pattern final)
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 11,900 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: SVGA Bolivar at 6:43 pm
- Destination: Santa Rosa
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,000 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.68 inHg
- Observation at 6:00 pm from SVCB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 4 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.