# Accident 20180210002219A: Eurocopter EC 130 B4, Peach Springs, AZ, February 10, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 10, 2018, 17:15 local time
- Place: Peach Springs, AZ
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: PG9A
- Location: 35.9672° N, 113.7689° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9672&lon=-113.7689&mi=10
- Aircraft: N155GC, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N155GC-2018-05-24) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Eurocopter EC 130 B4 (registry code 8680989, https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-ec-130-b4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Turbomeca ARRIEL-2B1 (registry code 60056, https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-2b1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER EC 130 B4
- Reported engine: TURBOMECA ARRIEL 2B1
- People aboard: 7
- Fatal injuries: 5
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 2,700 total, 500 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR18MA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18MA087) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180210002219A

## Narrative

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

ON FEBRUARY 10, 2018 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:15 P.M. MST AN AIRBUS HELICOPTERS MODEL EC130 B4 HELICOPTER WAS INVOLVED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT IN THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK.  THE HELICOPTER WAS APPROACHING TO LAND AT THE QUARTERMASTER CANYON ON THE HUALAPAI NATION WHEN IT CRASHED. THE HELICOPTER HAD 7 PEOPLE ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE FATALLY INJURED.  THE PASSENGERS WERE BRITISH TOURISTS.  THE DEGREE OF INJURIES OF THE FOUR VICTIMS WAS CONFIRMED BY A HOSPITAL SPOKESPERSON AS ALIVE BUT IN CRITICAL CONDITION.  TWO OF THE THREE SURVIVING PASSENGERS LATER SUCCUMBED TO THEIR INJURIES.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED DUE TO IMPACT AND POST-CRASH FIRE. PRELIMINARY WEATHER REPORTS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT INDICATED PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES AND GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS (25-33 KTS).  RESCUE OPERATIONS WERE HAMPERED DUE TO STRONG WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH.

## 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 WPR18MA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18MA087), Feb 11, 2018: Eurocopter EC130 (N155GC), Peach Springs, AZ, destroyed, 5 fatal. Probable cause: A loss of tail rotor effectiveness, the pilot’s subsequent loss of helicopter control, and collision with terrain during an approach to land in gusting, tailwind conditions in an area of potential…

## Other reports on N155GC (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20120128000789I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120128000789I), Jan 28, 2012: Eurocopter EC 130 B4 (N155GC), Grand Canyon, AZ, Minor damage. On 1-28-2012 the EC-130 aircraft landed at a company unimproved landing site at the base of the Grand Canyon. When the helicopter touched down on the sloped…

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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