Jul 12, 2015
Accident
Substantial Escalante, UT
Injuries1 serious, 1 minor
Phase of Flight-
ConditionsVMC
OperationFAR 091
Probable Cause
The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and his subsequent decision to attempt to climb over rising terrain with the helicopter over maximum gross weight while operating in high-density altitude conditions with a tailwind, which resulted in its inability to maintain a positive climb rate and a subsequent impact with terrain.
NTSB GAA15LA131