# Accident 20160613010319A: Eurocopter EC120B, Ajo, AZ, June 13, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 13, 2016, 11:10 local time
- Place: Ajo, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Ground/Ramp/Ma
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.1292° N, 113.4858° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1292&lon=-113.4858&mi=10
- Aircraft: N372HS, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N372HS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Eurocopter EC120B (registry code 8680987, https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-ec120b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Turbomeca ARRIUS-2F (registry code 60010, https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arrius-2f) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER EC120B
- Reported engine: TURBOMECA ARRIUS 2F
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 7,184 total, 1,156 in this make and model, 103 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA16CA318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA318) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160613010319A

## Narrative

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

DURING CBP US GOVERNMENT LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY (PATROL), THE PILOT LANDED ON A RIDGE TO INVESTIGATE A POSSIBLE SUSPECT DEVICE.  AFTER HE EXITED THE HELICOPTER AND BEGAN WALKING TOWARD THE DEVICE, THE ROCKY TERRAIN SHIFTED UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT AND WHILE AT IDLE, THE BLADES IMPACTED TERRAIN AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER.  DAMAGE INCLUDED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO MAIN ROTOR BLADES (3 EA) FRONT WINDSHIELD, AND FURTHER DAMAGE TO FUSELAGE AND RIGHT HORIZONTAL STAB.

## 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 GAA16CA318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA318), Jun 13, 2016: Eurocopter EC120 (N372HS), Ajo, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to exit the helicopter with the engine and rotors turning and the selection of unsuitable terrain for a landing, which resulted in a roll over.

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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