N149THEurocopter AS 350 B2 · 2005

The pilot reported that, while departing from a remote, snow-covered, glacier camp, which required a hovering backwards departure from a helipad site, the helicopter’s vertical stabilizer struck a snow berm, resulting in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and tail boom assembly. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot noted that flat light conditions made it difficult to discern the height of the helicopter over the uneven, snow-covered terrain immediately surrounding the helipad site.