Aerospatiale AS350 accident near Coldfoot, Alaska, March 31, 2019
On March 31, 2019 at about 10:59 pm local time, a 1982 Aerospatiale AS350 (helicopter), registered CGTNV, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Coldfoot, Alaska. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The gunner’s improper net gun firing, which resulted in a net weight impacting the rotor blades.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 31, 2019 · about 10:59 pm local time
- Place
- Coldfoot, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale AS350 B, built 1982 · all AS350s on the register
- Registration
- CGTNV · no longer on the register · serial 1655
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The chief pilot reported that the helicopter pilot told him that, while attempting to net a calf during a caribou capture flight, he got within shooting range for the net gun, but the calf suddenly "broke right." He then turned the helicopter to follow the calf, and while turning, the pilot thought the shot would not be possible and that he should set up for another run, but the gunner fired. The pilot heard a "bang," followed by a strong vibration. The pilot landed the helicopter without further incident. The pilot reported that postaccident examination revealed that one of the main rotor blades had sustained substantial damage, which he assumed was from a net weight. The chief pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Not specified
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › (general) › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, foreign licence
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 10,866 hours in all; 3,964 in this make and model; 77 in the last 90 days; 47 in the last 30 days; 9,880 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 19, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11,784.8 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 1, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 4,961 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 (turboshaft); 11,705 hours total
- Operator: Trans North Turbo Air Limited
The flight
- Departed from: CXF Coldfoot AK
- Destination: CXF Coldfoot AK
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 32°F (0°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
1 document, released by the NTSB on June 25, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.