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External load event (Rotorcraft)

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NTSB defining event · CICTT: External Load Event (Rotorcraft)

CICTT occurrence categories (PDF)CICTT phases of flight (PDF)

All 31 cases51 anywhere in the sequence
Defining event in
31 cases
In the sequence of
51 cases
Fatal cases
9
NTSB code
480

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008. Earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes, so they aren’t counted here.

When and where

In green, cases where it was the defining event; in gray, cases where it came elsewhere in the sequence. The map shows the cases where it was the defining event. Events are coded with the final report, so the latest years are incomplete.

Cases per year

2008Defining eventElsewhere in the sequence2026

Where

Open the map
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT year(c.\"eventDate\") AS year, count(DISTINCT e.case_mkey) AS cases,
    count(DISTINCT e.case_mkey) FILTER (WHERE e.\"isDefiningEvent\") AS defining
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c.\"mKey\" = e.case_mkey
  WHERE e.\"tier2Number\" = '480' AND e.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE \"isDefiningEvent\")
  GROUP BY 1
  ORDER BY 1"

Prints the counts as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

In these cases

Phase of flight
  • Maneuvering-hover14
  • Maneuvering-low-alt flying7
  • Maneuvering4
  • Landing2
  • Initial climb2
  • Autorotation1
  • Enroute1
In the probable cause
Aircraft models

Aircraft matched to the registry by N-number and date.

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "WITH defining AS (SELECT * FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE \"tier2Number\" = '480' AND \"isDefiningEvent\")
  SELECT * FROM (
  SELECT 'Phase of flight' AS kind, e.\"tier1Number\" AS code, max(e.\"eventTier1Name\") AS name, count(DISTINCT e.case_mkey) AS cases
  FROM defining e
  GROUP BY ALL
  UNION ALL
  SELECT 'Finding in the probable cause', left(f.\"findingCode\", 8), max(f.\"tier4Name\"), count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey)
  FROM defining e JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f ON f.case_mkey = e.case_mkey AND f.aircrafts_position = e.aircrafts_position AND f.\"inProbableCause\"
  WHERE f.\"findingCode\" GLOB '[0-9][0-9]*'
  GROUP BY ALL
  UNION ALL
  SELECT 'Aircraft model', a.aircraft_model_code, any_value(concat_ws(' ', m.manufacturer, m.model)), count(DISTINCT e.case_mkey)
  FROM defining e JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = e.case_mkey AND a.position = e.aircrafts_position
  LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_model.parquet' m ON m.code = a.aircraft_model_code
  WHERE a.aircraft_model_code IS NOT NULL
  GROUP BY ALL
  )
  QUALIFY row_number() OVER (PARTITION BY kind ORDER BY cases DESC) <= 10
  ORDER BY kind, cases DESC"

Prints the counts as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

Newest cases · 31

NTSB GAA25WA147Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · ForeignBell 206 · Copey - Cesar, ColombiaFeb 14, 2025 · HK5189 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR25LA034Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Durkee, ORThe pilot's inadequate performance planning, which resulted in insufficient engine power to transition into an out-of-ground-effect hover at a high gross weight.Nov 7, 2024 · N4361R · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA040Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369D · Waycross, GAAn encounter with a foreign object, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.Nov 5, 2024 · N11AS · Substantial damageNTSB ANC23LA085Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B3 · Johnson River, AKThe ground crew’s failure to remain clear of a tag line during sling load operations, resulting in his entanglement.Sep 16, 2023 · N297SH · No damageNTSB ANC21LA079Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Pelican, AKThe pilot’s improper preflight planning to ensure adequate power to hover out-of-ground effect while conducting external load operations.Aug 30, 2021 · N878CB · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA268Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 212HP · Weed, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an approach to a lake. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to release the full water bucket as the helicopter was settling, which reduced the helicopter’s out-of-ground-effect performance.Jul 7, 2021 · N911KW · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20LA244Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAmerican Eurocopter AS350 · Pioche, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude from terrain and subsequent loss of helicopter control due to entanglement of the external load cable with the tail rotor.Jul 29, 2020 · N755AE · DestroyedNTSB GAA19WA598Accident · Serious injuriesClass 5 · ForeignAerospatiale AS350 · Kitzbühel, AustriaDec 12, 2019 · OE-XHE · No damageNTSB ERA18FA122Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter 600 · Smethport, PAThe helicopter pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance during power line construction work, which resulted in the helicopter's main rotor striking and becoming entangled with a wire and a subsequent dynamic rollover and collision with terrain.…Apr 8, 2018 · N602BP · DestroyedNTSB ERA18LA091Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369 · San Juan, PRThe helicopter pilot's improper decision to use an open-end grapple, instead of an A-frame attachment, to lift and move a ladder with a lineman on it and the lineman's improper decision to be lifted on a ladder via an open-end grapple, which were contrary to…Jan 11, 2018 · N571HH · No damage
See all 31 cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e.\"isDefiningEvent\" AND e.\"tier2Number\" = '480')
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.