Eurocopter AS 350B3 Ecureuil crash near Marmorilik Helipad, Avannaata, Greenland

The helicopter had been prepared for further sling work, with a mechanic fitting the long line while the pilot was present, when an unscheduled ten-minute passenger flight was requested. Arriving back at the aircraft to find the passenger already loaded and waiting, the pilot carried out a preflight inspection without walking fully around the helicopter and did not notice the long line was still installed. As it lifted from the helipad and moved into forward flight, the line caught the guard rail surrounding the pad and was thrown into the main rotor, tearing off one blade and damaging another. The pilot attempted to enter autorotation but the helicopter struck the water immediately afterwards. In roughly two metres of water it tipped onto its left side on contact with the seabed. Both occupants escaped unaided. The aircraft was written off.