On 1 December 2022, a Robinson R66 helicopter registration PK-VPJ operated by PT. Volta Pasifik Aviation to serve tourism flights around Bali. Prior to the departure, there was no record or report of helicopter system malfunction.

The first flight was departed at 1159 LT (0359 UTC) from Fly Bali Heliport (FBH), Ungasan to Viceroy helipad, Ubud then flew back to FBH and landed at 1242 LT.

The flight was continued for another sightseeing flight. At 1248 LT the helicopter took off with 3 passengers on board.The route for the flight was planned to fly over the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue – Jimbaran - Uluwatu - Nyang Nyang Beach - Melasti and returned to FBH.

When arriving at Melasti, the pilot noticed that the flight time was still 10 minutes of 12 minutes standard tour package. The pilot decided to prolong the flight to Pandawa beach and reduced the airspeed around 50 knots in order to achieve total 12 minutes flight time. After passing Pandawa beach, the helicopter turned and made long approach to FBH on north west heading with vertical speed less than 300 feet/minute.

While approaching FBH, the pilot noticed that the wind was about 10 knots from the north west. When the aircraft altitude was about 30 feet, the pilot felt that the aircraft yawed to the right then decided to make a go around. The pilot pulled the collective slightly and felt the aircraft progressively yawed to the right. The pilot maintained the collective and the cyclic position then the aircraft attitude was uncontrolled nose down.

Prior to impact, the pilot recovered by pulling the collective and cyclic to level the helicopter and the helicopter skid touchdown on the grass about 30 meters before reaching intended landing point. After the helicopter engine idled, the passengers evacuated the helicopter assisted by the ground crew.

The pilot asked the engineer to check the damage outside of the helicopter visually and reported no damage found. The pilot noticed that there was no advisory light flashing, vibration and unusual noises heard from the engine then decided to perform an air taxi to the main helipad. After landing in the main helipad, the engine was shut down.

At the time of issuing this investigation report, the KNKT had not been informed of safety actions resulting from this occurrence taken by the helicopter operator. Therefore, the KNKT issued safety recommendations to the helicopter operator.

The investigation is continuing, should any further relevant safety issues emerge during the course of the investigation, KNKT will immediately bring the issues to the attention of the relevant parties and publish as required.