# NTSB CEN15CA312: Eurocopter EC 130 B4, N974BR, Somerset, CO, July 3, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 3, 2015, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Somerset, CO - Coordinates: 38.988887, -107.348335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9889&lon=-107.3483&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91608 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA312 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91608/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91608 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA312 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude when he was aware that there were wires in the area which resulted in the helicopter contacting a wire. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Eurocopter EC 130 B4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=8680989), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter EC 130 B4, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=8680989), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter EC 130 B4, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=8680989), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Eurocopter EC 130 B4, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8680989), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Eurocopter EC 130 B4, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=8680989), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had flown multiple trips into and out of the ranch prior to the accident. He also had seen wires in the area and had a discussion with local fishing guides regarding the location of wires in the area. As the pilot was preparing to depart the ranch with the last load of passengers he was approached by a guide who wanted to video the helicopter for their website. The pilot agreed and after lifting off, made a pass near the ranch for the video. The pilot stated he was flying toward the mountains when he heard a "small ting" and he knew the helicopter contacted a wire. He made an uneventful off airport landing in a nearby clearing. Although the pilot stated he never saw the wire it was later determined the helicopter contacted was a small copper static wire. A postaccident inspection of the helicopter revealed two of the three main rotor blades were beyond repair, at least two of the Fenestron blades were beyond repair, and the entire Fenestron stator blade assembly needed to be replaced. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated he made two flights to the ranch to drop passengers off and was on his second flight transporting the passengers out of the ranch when the accident occurred. The pilot stated he had seen some wires in the area and had a discussion with the local fishing guides about the location of wires in the area, how dangerous the wires were, and how hard they were to see. The pilot reported that as he was preparing to depart with the last load of passenger, one of the fishing guides asked if he could video the helicopter for their website. The pilot reported he agreed and discussed where he would fly so the helicopter could be filmed. The pilot took off and flew a pass for the video. He stated he was flying toward the mountains when he heard a "small ting." The pilot reported he knew he hit a wire from the sound, but he did not see it. He made an uneventful off airport landing in the nearest clearing. The pilot reported the wire that the helicopter contacted was a small copper static wire. A postaccident inspection of the helicopter revealed two of the three main rotor blades were beyond repair, at least two of the Fenestron blades were beyond repair, and the entire Fenestron stator blade assembly needed to be replaced. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N974BR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N974BR-2018-06-15), registration cancelled 2018-06-15, S/N 4672, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER EC 130 B4 - Registry model: [Eurocopter EC 130 B4](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-ec-130-b4) (registry code 8680989) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-2B1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-2b1) (registry code 60056, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 4672 - Year built: 2009 - Airframe hours: 808.5 - Engines: Turbomecca Arriel 282 728 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Jayhawk Inc, doing business as Aspen Heli Charter - Registered owner: Jayhawk Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: ASE, Aspen, CO - Destination: Somerset, CO - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 29, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,600 total, 3,200 in this make and model, 4,200 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg ## 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 20150703008459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150703008459A), Jul 3, 2015: Eurocopter EC 130 B4, Somerset, CO, Substantial damage. On takeoff from private fishing ponds (located approximately N39*0'43" W107*20'21") the helicopter struck a grounding static wire about the size of a clothes… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 12, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91608. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430669&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement of Events to Airbus (item 2, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430670&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20of%20Events%20to%20Airbus-Redacted.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.