# Accident 20220416002309A: Eurocopter AS 350 B3, Phoenix, AZ, April 16, 2022

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 16, 2022, 23:40 local time
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Airport: Deer Valley Airport
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: QMLA
- Location: 33.4113° N, 112.0445° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4113&lon=-112.0445&mi=10
- Aircraft: N808LF, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N808LF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Eurocopter AS 350 B3 (registry code 8680954, https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Turbomeca ARRIEL-2B1 (registry code 60056, https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-2b1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS 350 B3
- Reported engine: TURBOMECA ARRIEL 2B1
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 7,188 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR22LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA154) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220416002309A

## Narrative

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

N808 LANDED AT THE CITY HELO PAD AND REQUESTED A HOT REFUEL.  THE CREW OF THE HELICOPTER ACTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMPANY PROCEDURES LISTED IN THE GENERAL OPERATIONS MANUAL.  THE FUELER ARRIVED AND ASKED ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF FUEL REQUESTED.  HE THEN PULLED THE GROUNDING STRAP BUT THE INERTIA REEL DID NOT LOCK.  HE AGAIN PULLED THE STRAP TO LOCK THE INERTIA REEL.  WHEN IT DID NOT LOCK HE WHIPPED THE GROUNDING STRAP WHICH STRUCK THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE CAUSING SEVERE LACERATION ON THE FUELER?S HAND.

## 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 WPR22LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA154), Apr 17, 2022: Eurocopter AS 350 B3 (N808LF), Deer Valley, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fuelers improper action during the refueling process.

## Other reports on N808LF (2)

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

- [Incident 20140626010009I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140626010009I), Jun 26, 2014: Eurocopter AS 350 B3 (N808LF), Temple, TX, Minor damage. While lifting off to a hover, the aircraft began a rotation counter-clockwise. Following several rotations, the pilot lowered the aircraft to hover height,…
- [Accident 20110727014929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110727014929A), Jul 27, 2011: Eurocopter AS 350 B3 (N808LF), Troutdale, OR, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed aurora in route to the dalles approx. 15 minutes into flight the pilot heard a thump and aircraft started vibrating. The pilot decided a…

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.