# Accident 20031016025819A: Doug MD900, Grand Canyon, AZ, October 16, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 16, 2003, 16:50 local time
- Place: Grand Canyon, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Final Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: PG9A
- Location: 36.8596° N, 112.8394° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8596&lon=-112.8394&mi=10
- Aircraft: N179PA, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N179PA-2007-03-22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter MD 900 (registry code 3027375, https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-helicopter-md-900) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206A (registry code 52151, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pw206a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUG MD900
- Pilot flight hours: 10,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX04TA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04TA017) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031016025819A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON OCTOBER 16, 2003, AT APPROXIMATELY 4:50PM MDT, PAPPILON AIRWAYS HELICOPTER N179PA, SN 900-00021, AN MD-900 HAD JUST COMPLETED A RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHT OF THE POPLAR FIRE COMPLEX ON THE NORTH RIM AND WAS ENROUTE TO A LANDING ZONE ON THE NORTH DISTRICT OF THE KALBAB NATIONAL FOREST WHEN THE PILOT EXPERIENCED UNCOMMANDED RIGHT YAW AT 40 FEET AGL ON HIS FINAL APPROACH. THE AIRCRAFT MADE SEVERAL REVOLUTIONS TO THE RIGHT AND IMPACTED ON ITS SKIDS BEFORE COMING TO REST ON ITS LEFT SIDE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX04TA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04TA017), Oct 16, 2003: MD Helicopter 900 (N179PA), Fredonia, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's in-flight loss of control due to the fatigue fracture and separation of the force limiting control rod (an integral part of the anti-torque system), which resulted in the helicopter's…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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