# NTSB ATL07CA037: Eurocopter France EC120B, N491AE, Griffin, GA, February 3, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 3, 2007, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Griffin, GA - Coordinates: 33.6194444444444, -84.5055555555556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6194&lon=-84.5056&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: College Park FSDO-11 - NTSB case key (mKey): 65350 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL07CA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65350/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07CA037 ## Probable cause The first pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the helicopter during hover in ground effect, and the second pilot's (a certificated flight instructor), delayed remedial action, which resulted in an in-flight collision with the ground. A factor associated with the accident was the first pilot's failure to relinquish the flight controls. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, hover - in ground effect - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - delayed, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor) - relinquishing of control - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, hover - in ground effect - terrain condition - ground - Roll over, hover - dynamic rollover - inadvertent ## Analysis According to the certificated flight instructor (CFI), the helicopter-rated passengers were friends of the helicopter owner. The owner agreed to let both passengers pilot his helicopter with the CFI. After the first flight around the airport pattern, the front passenger exchanged seats with the rear passenger, who moved into the right front seat next to the CFI. The CFI then instructed the pilot to bring the helicopter to a hover. The pilot lifted the helicopter to a hover, and it began to rotate to the left. The CFI instructed the pilot to "add right pedal, add right pedal", but the helicopter continued to rotate to the left. The CFI attempted to apply pressure on the right pedal, but the pilot "panicked and froze" on the flight controls. The CFI stated that he yelled to the pilot, "I have the controls", but the pilot did not respond. The CFI stated that he was unable to overcome the pilot's strength on the flight controls. The helicopter's tail rotor struck the ground, and the helicopter rolled over on its right side. The pilot and CFI did not report any mechanical or flight control anomalies with the helicopter. Examination of the helicopter revealed the tail boom separated from the fuselage and main rotor blades were destroyed. ## Factual narrative According to the certified flight instructor (CFI), the helicopter-rated passengers were friends of the helicopter owner. The owner agreed to let both passengers pilot his helicopter with the CFI. After the first flight around the airport pattern, the front passenger exchanged seats with the rear passenger, who moved into the right front seat next to the CFI. The CFI then instructed the pilot to bring the helicopter to a hover. The pilot lifted the helicopter to a hover and it began to rotate to the left. The CFI instructed the pilot to "add right pedal, add right pedal", but the helicopter continued to rotate to the left. The CFI attempted to apply pressure on the right pedal, but the pilot "panicked and froze" on the flight controls. The CFI stated that he yelled to the pilot, "I have the controls", but the pilot did not respond. The CFI stated that he was unable to overcome the pilot's strength on the flight controls. The helicopter's tail rotor struck the ground, and the helicopter rolled over on its right side. The pilot and CFI did not report any mechanical or flight control anomalies with the helicopter. Examination of the helicopter revealed the tail boom separated from the fuselage and main rotor blades were destroyed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N491AE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N491AE-2012-10-09), registration cancelled 2012-10-09, S/N 1317, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Eurocopter France EC120B - Registry model: [Eurocopter EC120B](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-ec120b) (registry code 8680987) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIUS-2F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arrius-2f) (registry code 60010, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1317 - Airframe hours: 312 - Engines: Turbomeca Arrius 2F 432 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lance Toland LTD. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 2006, 15 hours before - Departed: 6A2, GRIFFIN, GA - Destination: 6A2, GRIFFIN, GA - Airport: 6A2, Griffin-Spalding County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2005; seat: right; flight hours: 385 total, 0 in this make and model, 334 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: KATL, 50 nm away ## 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 20070203001939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070203001939A), Feb 3, 2007: Urocop EC120B, Griffin, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) A rated pilot failed to apply proper pedal input. As the helicopter was lifting to a hover the helicopter began to rotate about the vertical axis. The… 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.