2021 Knik Glacier helicopter crash
On 27 March 2021, an Airbus AS350B3 helicopter crashed in the vicinity of Knik Glacier, near Palmer, Alaska, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, among them Czech billionaire businessman Petr Kellner; one person survived the incident.
Aircraft
The helicopter involved was an Airbus AS350B3, bearing the registration number N351SH.
Accident
The aircraft impacted a mountain ridge situated between Metal Creek and Grasshopper Valley at approximately , subsequently tumbling downhill for an estimated 800 to 900 feet. The helicopter was reported missing two hours after its tracking signal stopped during a heliskiing excursion in Alaska’s remote wilderness.
Victims
Five people lost their lives, including Czech billionaire entrepreneur Petr Kellner. Legal documents reveal that Kellner initially survived the crash and remained alive for about two hours before succumbing while awaiting rescue. Another individual also survived initially. Search and rescue operations commenced more than two and a half hours after the accident; the sole survivor was located five hours post-crash and evacuated six hours later, suffering serious injuries to their hands. Families of Kellner and two additional victims have initiated legal proceedings.
Investigation
The helicopter wreckage was moved to Anchorage for further examination. A preliminary report published on 13 April 2021 noted that in the final three minutes prior to impact at around 18:35 AKDT, the helicopter was flying at low altitude and slow speed (approximately one knot) while maneuvering over the ridge.
The conclusive report determined the primary cause as "the pilot’s inadequate response to whiteout conditions." Additional factors included:
Insufficient pilot training and competency evaluations by the operator, which failed to prepare pilots for unexpected instrument meteorological conditions, alongside deficient oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration principal operations inspector who approved the training program without verifying compliance. Furthermore, delayed alerting of search and rescue services exacerbated injuries sustained by the surviving passenger.