# Accident 20200906012609A: Eurocopter AS 350 B3, Ft. Greely, AK, September 6, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 6, 2020, 10:00 local time
- Place: Ft. Greely, AK
- Airport: Delta Junction
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: P3TA
- Location: 63.9833° N, 145.7668° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.9833&lon=-145.7668&mi=10
- Aircraft: N354PA, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N354PA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Eurocopter AS 350 B3 (registry code 8680954, https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Turbomeca ARRIUS-2B series (registry code 60013, https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arrius-2b-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS 350 B3
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 5,200 total, 650 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC20LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA089) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200906012609A

## Narrative

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

PILOT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND ESTABLISHED CRUISE THE DOOR SUDDENLY DEPARTED THE AIRCRAFT WITH NO WARNING OR INDICATION OF BEING PARTIAL OPEN. THE DOOR STRUCK ONE OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRCRAFT IMMEDIATELY.

## 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 ANC20LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA089), Sep 6, 2020: Eurocopter AS 350 (N354PA), Fort Greely, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the door lock due to interference between the door and a cargo box.

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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