There was a helicopter crash near King Salmon, Alaska on September 7, 2024. According to reports, a Bell 206B helicopter crashed in the Naknek River shortly after taking off from the King Salmon Airport. At the time, there was one pilot and four passengers on board. One person was killed in the crash. The victim has been identified as Martin de Laureal, from Louisiana. The helicopter was owned by Egli Air Haul. Authorities have indicated the helicopter departed under Special VFR conditions. Additional details have not yet been released.
A Bell 206B helicopter could crash shortly after takeoff from an airport for a variety of reasons, particularly under challenging Special VFR (Visual Flight Rules) conditions. Special VFR is typically authorized in lower visibility settings, such as when weather conditions don’t meet the minimum requirements for standard VFR. In Alaska, these conditions could include fog, low clouds, or heavy snowfall, all of which can obscure terrain and lead to disorientation. If the pilot lost visual references shortly after takeoff, they could have encountered spatial disorientation, which occurs when the pilot’s perception of the aircraft’s attitude or altitude becomes compromised. This disorientation is especially dangerous at low altitudes, where there is little time or space to recover before colliding with terrain or other obstacles.
Mechanical failure is another potential cause of a helicopter crash shortly after takeoff. Helicopters like the Bell 206B rely on several complex systems to maintain flight stability, including the engine, rotor blades, transmission, and hydraulics. A failure in any of these systems, particularly the engine, could result in a loss of lift or control. Given Alaska’s rugged and remote terrain, a mechanical issue could prove fatal if the helicopter is unable to maintain sufficient altitude or maneuver safely to execute an emergency landing. If the crash occurred shortly after takeoff, it’s possible that a pre-existing mechanical issue, such as engine overheating or a rotor malfunction, became apparent only once the helicopter was under the stress of flight.
Another potential factor in the crash could be icing on the helicopter’s components. In Alaska’s cold, often harsh climate, helicopters can be prone to ice buildup, particularly on rotor blades and critical flight surfaces. Ice accumulation can reduce the aerodynamic efficiency of the rotors, leading to a loss of lift, increased weight, and degraded handling. If the helicopter encountered icing conditions shortly after takeoff, it could have contributed to the crash by making the helicopter difficult or impossible to control. Icing also impacts the engine’s performance, potentially causing a decrease in power output or a complete engine failure.
Lastly, environmental factors in Alaska, such as wind turbulence or sudden changes in weather, could have contributed to the crash. The state’s mountainous and coastal regions are prone to rapidly shifting weather conditions, including strong winds, downdrafts, and sudden fog, all of which can make flying treacherous. A gust of wind or turbulence shortly after takeoff could have destabilized the helicopter, making it difficult for the pilot to maintain control. Additionally, Alaska’s terrain often offers little margin for error during takeoff, with steep mountains and dense forests providing few safe options for an emergency landing if the helicopter encounters difficulty shortly after becoming airborne.
There have been a number of recent helicopter crashes. An AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed at Fort Novosel, Alabama on August 7, 2024. A Robinson R-44 crashed near Knik Glacier, Alaska on August 18, 2024. A Rotorcraft OH-58A+ helicopter crashed in Newton County, Texas on August 23, 2024. A UH-72 Lakota helicopter from Fort Novosel crashed during a training flight in Geneva County, Alabama on August 29, 2024.
Spagnoletti Law Firm has attorneys licensed in Texas, Florida, New Mexico and New York. We have handled numerous cases involving the failure of necessary equipment on a plane or helicopter in both federal and state court across the country. Our attorneys have extensive experience in plane and helicopter crash litigation and the skills needed to aggressively represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives or been seriously injured in a plane or helicopter crash. The experienced helicopter crash attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of a helicopter accident. Please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or to learn more about your legal rights.