# NTSB ANC23LA085: Eurocopter AS 350 B3, N297SH, Johnson River, AK, September 16, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 16, 2023, 10:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Johnson River, AK - Coordinates: 60.15, -152.9 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1500&lon=-152.9000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: External load event (Rotorcraft)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 193130 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC23LA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193130/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193130 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA085 ## Probable cause The ground crew’s failure to remain clear of a tag line during sling load operations, resulting in his entanglement. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: ground equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B3, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md?model=8680954), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Ground crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B3, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=8680954), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: External load event (Rotorcraft)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480/sequence.md?model=8680954), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480/sequence.md) ## Analysis The operator reported that during a sling load operation, one of the ground crew became entangled in a tag line as the helicopter began to lift the load. He was dragged across the deck, freed himself, and subsequently fell to the ground. In the operators written statement, it was noted the ground crew member was initially hidden from the pilot’s view as he began to lift the sling load. The helicopter was not damaged, but the ground crew personnel sustained serious injuries. The operator reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N297SH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N297SH), registered now, S/N 7429 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS 350 B3 - Registry model: [Eurocopter AS 350 B3](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b3) (registry code 8680954) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 7429 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 1480 - Engines: Safran Arriel 2D 952 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: No damage - Flight: External load, Part 133 - Operator: Soloy Helicopters LLC - Registered owner: Jc Aircraft Leasing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 18, 2023 - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 24, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 15,300 total, 9,500 in this make and model, 15,200 as pilot in command, 260 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Temperature: 50 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20230916013319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230916013319A), Sep 16, 2023: Eurocopter AS 350 B3, Johnson River, AK, No damage. On septeber 16th 2023 a helicopter company while under contract with a mining company, working with a drilling company, were conducting sling load oporations.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 3, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193130. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17021198&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA085%206120%20Signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf 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. --- 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.