On June 10, 2017, the Emerald Pacific Airlines, a Bell-206B helicopter, national registration B-31118, took off at 1046 from Taidong for an aerial photography mission at Fengbin Township, Hualien County. At around 1220, the helicopter was loss of contact and crashed at Fengbin Township, Hualien County. One pilot and two aerial photographers aboard were killed.

According to the Aviation Occurrence Investigation Act, the Aviation Safety Council assigned an Investigator-in-Charge and investigation team to proceed with the occurrence investigation. The team had completed the following on-scene factual data collection including: completed the wreckage examination, site survey positioning and measuring , victims examination, wreckage and debris collecting, wreckage transportation after coordinating with Sung Shan Air Force base as the temporary allocation area. The on-scene team also completed interviewing with some witnesses, and the flight crew member of Emerald Pacific Airlines who operated the earlier aerial photography mission . The investigation group will continue collect related flight operation and maintenance documents and information , ATC communication, radar tracks and weather information etc.

The investigation team set up investigation groups in areas of expertise in flight operations, maintenance, weather, survival factors and on board recording. Agencies and institute participate in this investigation parties include: CAA （Civil Aeronautics Administration）, Emerald Pacific Airlines, Accredited Representative of Transport Safety Board（TSB） and National Transportation Safety Board（NTSB） and their appointed advisers of engine manufacture Rolls-Royce company and aircraft manufacture Bell Aircraft Corporation.

The 2 advisors from the Bell Aircraft Corporation and Rolls-Royce company had arrived on June 16th and participated in the Organization Meeting of Emerald Pacific Airlines B-31118 occurrence  investigation at 09:30AM on June 17, 2017. They were accompanied by the ASC' Flight Operation and Maintenance Group Chairs to the temporary wreckage and debris allocation place -Sung Shan Air Force Base to precede the wreckage examination after the meeting.   

The factual data related to the occurrence will be released after the factual report is completed.

Sherry Liu, Engineer
Tel: 89127388-330
Email:sherry@asc.gov.tw