Agustawestland Spa AW109SP accident near Kamas, Utah, October 8, 2024
On October 8, 2024 at about 10:30 am local time, a 2013 Agustawestland Spa AW109SP (helicopter), registered N631HC, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Kamas, Utah. It was a business flight under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s exceedance of the helicopter’s available power while landing in a confined area, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and a hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 8, 2024 · about 10:30 am local time
- Place
- Kamas, Utah · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Agustawestland Spa AW109SP, built 2013 · all AW109SPs on the register
- Registration
- N631HC · registry record · serial 22312
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the helicopter reported that he mistakenly added more fuel than was required to complete a mountainous terrain, confined area landing at an elevation of 10,276 ft msl. During his approach to the landing area, the helicopter descended below the tree line preventing a go-around. As the helicopter descended, the pilot increased collective to add power, but he observed a high torque indication of 111% and he felt the “sluggish” performance of the helicopter. The tail rotor effectiveness diminished, an uncommanded right yaw ensued, and the helicopter landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the lower fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the powered glider 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
- Loss of tail rotor effectiveness during landing
- Hard landing during landing defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Landing gear collapse during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Powerplant parameters › Capability exceeded
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Yaw control › Capability exceeded
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Mountainous/hilly terrain › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › High elevation › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,127 hours in all; 170 in this make and model; 37 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 5,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 14, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Other crew
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Other crew
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,230.7 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, September 29, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 7,000 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Pratt & Whitney PW207C (turboshaft); 3,247 hours total
- Engine 2: Pratt & Whitney PW207C (turboshaft); 3,247 hours total
- Operator: Ihc Health Services INC
The flight
- Departed from: UT06 Logan UT at 9:55 am
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 am from KEVW, 26 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KEVW 081053Z AUTO 17005KT 10SM CLR 10/M03 A3028 RMK AO2 SLP170 T01001028=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on April 8, 2025. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum Complete 6120 Narrative | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photograph | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR25LA006.