5 killed in March 2021 Heli-ski Crash

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Fun CH
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Re: 5 killed in March 2021 Heli-ski Crash

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Fun CH
Posts: 1440
Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2021 4:22 pm
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Re: 5 killed in March 2021 Heli-ski Crash

Post by Fun CH »

That is a good observation Alf. The health damaging noise levels of an A-star helicopter is an impact that our local Forest Service has yet to successfully mitigate.

The FS seems to think that its OK to mix mountain heli landing zones in close proximity with human powered skiers.Besides the high threshold noise dB levels and LFV (low frequency vibrations), the hazards to recreational users are;

1) Crash accident potential. Our local heli-ski corporation has already crashed three heli's in our mountains. Although the FS doesn't recognize one, which was a tail rotor strike, as a crash. That helicopter required a skycrane helicopter to take it to the repair shop.

The other two were pieces flying crashes, fortunately with no fatalities. Also skycraned out of the mountains

2) Potential avalanche triggers above other groups. The local helicopter operation runs regular heli-skiing and touring group skiing where they drop a tour group off on top of a ski run and then tour for the rest of the day.

They, NCH, also shares a common owner with the other guide service, NCMG, which runs snowmobile access skiing tours during the winter.

One of the owner /guides from that Corporation has recently triggered an avalanche down on a recreational skier on a day when natural Avalanches were observed on simular aspects, so Avalanche potential could be expected.

The guide purposely ski cut a steep wind loaded slope for his client right above a well known recreational access point. Fortunately the recreational skier was able to duck under the slab Avalanche heading his way, and let it run over and by him.

This is a common way for skiers to mitigate potential avalanche hazard, however safe practice dictates that you make absolutely sure that there is no one below in harm's way before you ski cut a slope.

This avy mitigation practice is also common with the heli-ski operations operating on public land.

The first thing a helicopter ski guide does before skiing potential Avalanche Terrain is try to mitigate Avalanches by ski cutting the slope.

When this issue was brought up during the 2002-2003 EA (environmental assessment) which was designed to allow motorized expansion in scope and use of our wilderness quality mountains, the Forest Service's response to our concern was a joke.

Paraphrasing that forest service response the FS stated; helicopters land on flat ground and therefore our concern was not a risk. In other words the forest service failed to consider this potential safety hazard.

That guide triggered near miss avalanche accident outlined above, demonstrates that our safety concern was not a hypothetical situation.

This is another safety concern that the Forest Service has failed to successfully mitigate.

When I bought this issue up with former District Ranger Mike Liu, I was told that any risk that comes from helicopter use in our vicinity is a risk that's ours to take.

I disagree with that assessment. It is the forest service's mandate and responsibilities to successfully mitigate these types of user conflicts, especially motorized and commercial use impacts on
recreational users, and not to create more conflict.
Last edited by Fun CH on Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding--Nick Lowe
Can't talk to a man who don't want to understand--Carol King
Fun CH
Posts: 1440
Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2021 4:22 pm
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5 killed in March 2021 Heli-ski Crash

Post by Fun CH »

From the NYTimes

"Czech Billionaire Is Among 5 Killed in Heli-Skiing Crash Near Alaska Glacier"

"The accident was the latest misadventure for an extreme sport with little margin for error that has become a magnet for thrill seekers. Flights to remote mountains, playgrounds of untouched powder, are known for their steep price tags and risk."

“This news is devastating to our staff, the community in which we operate and the families of the deceased,” the lodge said. “In 17 years of operations this is the first time we’ve had to face an event of this measure.”
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding--Nick Lowe
Can't talk to a man who don't want to understand--Carol King
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