Bell 212 accident near Quito, Ec, November 25, 2011
On November 25, 2011 at about 4:40 pm local time, a Bell 212 (helicopter), registered HCCLH, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Quito. It was a flight test under non-U.S. private rules. 4 people were seriously injured. 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
- November 25, 2011 · about 4:40 pm local time
- Place
- Quito, Ecuador
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 212 NO SERIES · all 212s on the register
- Registration
- HCCLH · no longer on the register · serial 30879
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On November 25, 2011, about 1640 coordinated universal time (1140 local time), a Bell 212, Ecuadorian registration HC-CLH, operated by Aeromaster Airways, S.A., was substantially damaged when it impacted steep terrain next to the company's helipad in Quito, Ecuador. The two Ecuadorian pilots and two on board mechanics were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local post-maintenance check flight conducted under Ecuadorian flight regulations. Preliminary information from Ecuadorian authorities indicated that the helicopter had first conducted a series of hover checks before initiating a takeoff over a ravine. According to the pilot, during the takeoff, the helicopter lost rotor rpm, and he attempted a return to the helipad. However, the helicopter impacted the side of the helipad and descended 36 meters to the bottom of the ravine, where it came to rest on its left side in a creek. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the government of Ecuador. Further information can be obtained from: Dirección General de Aviación Civil Junta Investigadora de Accidentes de la República del Ecuador Avenida Colón E5-56 y La Rábida Edificio Ave María Torre Sur Quito, República del Ecuador Tel: 593-02-223-8981 www.dgac.gov.ec This report is for informational purposes, and only contains information released by the government of Ecuador.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during initial climb defining event
Pilot
- Injury: serious injuries
Co-pilot
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Pratt And Whitney Canada PT-6 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: PT-6 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Quito at 4:40 pm
- Destination: Quito
- Flight plan: not recorded
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.