# NTSB CEN19FA018: Eurocopter AS350, N910S, Odanah, WI, October 29, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: October 29, 2018, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Odanah, WI - Coordinates: 46.527221, -90.6025 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5272&lon=-90.6025&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO, Enbridge, Director of Operations, Airbus Helicopters, Safran helicopter engines - NTSB case key (mKey): 98568 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN19FA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98568/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98568 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA018 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of helicopter control for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [American Eurocopter AS350B3, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=1145004), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [American Eurocopter AS350B3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=1145004), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [American Eurocopter AS350B3, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1145004), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [American Eurocopter AS350B3, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1145004), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [American Eurocopter AS350B3, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=1145004), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was on a scheduled pipeline patrol observation flight in a turboshaft-powered helicopter. When the pilot did not arrive at his destination, an alert notice was issued for the overdue helicopter. The helicopter wreckage was located about 22 miles west of the helicopter's departure point in a remote wooded area that was about 200 yards north of the east-west pipeline. The pilot was not in contact with air traffic control during the flight, and there was no record of a distress call. A witness working on the pipeline about 2 to 3 miles from the accident site, reported seeing the helicopter fly overhead and further reported that the helicopter looked and sounded "normal." Visual meteorological conditions surrounded the area of the accident with 10 miles visibility and an overcast sky at 1,600 ft. The post-crash fire consumed most of the cabin area, which limited the scope of the airframe and engine examinations. Additionally, fire damage prevented the retrieval of information from the helicopter's cockpit image and flight data monitoring system, including nonvolatile memory from the digital engine control unit and engine data recorder. However, no preimpact abnormalities were noted during the engine or airframe examinations. Further, the engine's intake axial compressor blades exhibited damage near the outer tips, and the module 5 torque nut had a slippage of about 1/16 to 1/8 inch, (2 to 4 millimeters) consistent with the engine producing power at the time of impact. The pilot's autopsy noted moderate-to-severe coronary artery disease, scarring of the heart muscle from a previous myocardial infarction (heart attack), and changes in the blood vessels of the liver that were indicative of congestive heart failure. Thus, the pilot would have been at an increased risk for an acute coronary event causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations, or fainting. The pilot's complete medical history was not available, and a determination of medical impairment or incapacitation could not be made based on the available evidence for the accident. ## Factual narrative An iPhone and iPad were recovered from the accident site and sent to the NTSB's Vehicle Recorder Division for download of non-volatile memory (NVM). Both units were damaged, and no information could be gleaned from the iPad. Information about text and e-mail messages, photographs, and telephone calls was found on the iPhone. Several photos were recovered from the iPhone that had been taken earlier in the day. The photos indicated the pilot photographed ground activity near the pipeline and of routine engine power checks,but none of the information was pertinent to the accident. The helicopter, a Eurocopter AS350 B3 (present designation: Airbus H125), had a three-bladed main rotor system that rotated in a clockwise direction, with the three main rotor blades attached to a Starflex rotor head. The helicopter was powered by a (Safran) Turbomeca Arriel 2D turboshaft engine. Although the helicopter was equipped with a long-range fuel cell, it was not connected to the helicopter's fuel system. The helicopter received 120 gallons of fuel before departing IWD. The helicopter was also equipped with an Appareo Vision 1000 cockpit image and flight data monitoring system. The helicopter was maintained under the manufacturer's maintenance inspection program. A review of the maintenance records revealed the helicopter's last inspection was completed on October 26, 2018, with a total airframe time of 2,965.7 hours. At the time of the inspection, the engine had accumulated 2,965.2 total hours and 1,483 cycles. On October 29, 2018, about 1345 central daylight time, a Eurocopter (Airbus) AS350 B3 helicopter, N910S, impacted terrain near Odanah, Wisconsin. The pilot was fatally injured, and the helicopter was destroyed. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Enbridge Energy Company, Inc., as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation fight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight departed Gogebic-Iron County Airport (IWD), Ironwood, Michigan, about 1300 and was en route to Madison, Wisconsin. The flight was scheduled as a routine pipeline patrol flight. Two pipeline employees who were working on the pipeline about 2 to 3 miles from the accident site reported seeing the helicopter flying overhead. One of the employees, who had seen pipeline helicopters flying overhead numerous times, stated that he saw "nothing unusual about the helicopter" and heard "no unusual sounds coming from the helicopter." When the pilot did not arrive at his intended destination, an alert notice was issued for the overdue helicopter. The pilot had not been in contact with air traffic control during the flight, and there was no record of a distress call from the pilot.The helicopter wreckage was subsequently located about 22 miles west of IWD in a remote wooded area and about 200 yards north of the east-west pipeline. An autopsy on the pilot was performed by the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office, Ramsey, Minnesota.The pilot's cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries. The autopsy noted moderate to severe coronary artery diseasescarring of the heart muscle from a previous myocardial infarction (heart attack), and changes in the blood vessels of the liver that were indicative of congestive heart failure Toxicology testing performed at the Federal Aviation Administration Forensic Sciences Laboratory was negative for carbon monoxide, ethanol and all tested drugs. At 1356, the automated weather observing system at IWD recorded wind from 300° at 6 knots, 10 miles visibility, overcast sky at 1,600 ft, temperature 41°F, dew point 36°F, and altimeter setting 30.02 inches of mercury. The pilot was a Canadian citizen and held a Canadian commercial pilot certificate with helicopter and instrument ratings. He also held a Canadian private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and instrument ratings and a US private pilot certificate with a rotorcraft-helicopter rating (based on the pilot's Canadian license). The pilot held a Canadian category 1 medical certificate. His last medical exam was conducted on October 1 2018; however, the last medical exam and certificate on file with Transport Canada was dated March 12, 2018. The operator reported that the pilot had 16,894 hours of total flight experience with 16,535 hours in helicopters, 693 hours of which were in the AS350. The pilot had flown 208 hours in the AS350 during the preceding 90 days before the accident. The helicopter impacted trees and terrain before it came to rest in an upright position within the trees. Several trees at the crash site showed cuts, and one tree with a diameter of about 10 to 12 inches was completely severed in half. Except for small fragments of plexiglass, the helicopter wreckage was confined to the impact/resting site.The front of the cabin and the cockpit area were mostly destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. The major helicopter components were located at the accident site. The helicopter was examined on scene by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, and technical representatives from the engine and airframe manufacturers. The flight control continuity inspection was limited due to fire damage, but the bolt connections to the actuators were confirmed. The tail rotor pitch control moved freely: the tail rotor flex cable was attached and ran forward and under the fire-damaged cabin floor. The cyclic and anti-torque pedals were connected to their respective tubes beneath the floor but were destroyed under the cabin area. The helicopter's Appareo Vision system was located within the wreckage; however, the unit was badly fire damaged, and no data could be retrieved from the unit. The engine received extensive fire and impact damage. The engine 's intake axial compressor blades exhibited damage near the outer tips, and the module 5 torque nut had a slippage of about 1/16 to 1/8 inch (2 to 4 millimeters), consistent with engine power at the time of impact. The digitalengine control unit and engine data recorder were removed and sent to a laboratory for download. However, no data could be extracted from the units because they were badly fire damaged. The tail rotor blades were broken but remained attached; paint transfer and impact scars were consistent with the tail rotor blades impacting the stabilizer. The three main rotor blades remained with the wreckage and exhibited impact and fire damage. Though the examination was limited by thermal and impact damage to the helicopter, no preimpact abnormalities were noted during the airframe or engine examinations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N910S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N910S-2021-05-08), registration cancelled 2021-05-08, S/N 7446, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS350 (B3) - Registry model: [American Eurocopter AS350B3](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-eurocopter-as350b3) (registry code 1145004) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-2D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-2d) (registry code 60080, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 7446 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 2965.7 - Engines: Turbomeca (Safran) Arriel 2D turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Enbridge Energy Co Inc - Registered owner: Enbridge Energy Co Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, October 26, 2018 - Departed: IWD, Ironwood, MI - Destination: MSN, Madison, WI - Equipment: Video recording device, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: fatal; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; toxicology performed; flight hours: 16,894 total, 693 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: IWD, 22 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 20181029014309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181029014309A), Oct 29, 2018: American Eurocopter Corp AS350B3, Odanah, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. October 29, 2018, N910S departed saginaw, mi at 0845 EDT and landed at the ironwood, mi airport at approximately 1200 CDT. The pilot in control received 125… ## Docket (14 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 28, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98568. 16.0 MB in all. - Personal Electronic Devices (PED) - Specialist's Factual Report (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482043&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Personal%20Electronic%20Devices%20(PED)%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Onboard Image, Audio and Data Recorder - Specialist's Factual Report (item 2, .PDF, 708 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480894&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Onboard%20Image,%20Audio%20and%20Data%20Recorder%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Attachment 1 to Onboard Image, Audio and Data Recorder - Specialist's Factual Report (item 3, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480895&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Attachment%201%20to%20Onboard%20Image,%20Audio%20and%20Data%20Recorder%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report%20%20%20-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 4, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480896&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness (item 5, .PDF, 635 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480897&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 6, .PDF, 250 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480898&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photos (item 7, .PDF, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480899&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF - Medical Factual Report NTSB (item 8, .PDF, 217 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480900&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Medical%20Factual%20Report%20NTSB-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records (Extract) (item 9, .PDF, 979 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480901&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20(Extract)-Master.PDF - Location Overview (item 10, .PDF, 523 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480902&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Location%20Overview-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 11, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480903&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Medical Factual Report Rev (item 12, .PDF, 226 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482044&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Medical%20Factual%20Report%20Rev-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 13, .PDF, 190 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480904&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 14, .PDF, 179 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480905&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.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.