# NTSB DEN07CA073: Aerospatiale SA315B, N926JV, Norwood, CO, March 13, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 13, 2007, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Norwood, CO
- Coordinates: 38.083332, -108.25
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0833&lon=-108.2500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07CA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65465/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA073

## Probable cause

The inflight collision with a bird(s).

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - object - bird(s) (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot said the helicopter was in cruise flight when it yawed suddenly and began vibrating.  After making a precautionary landing, the pilot inspected the helicopter and found two of the three tail rotor blades were bent, and the drive shaft was bent 24 degrees.  Feathers and bird remains were found in the tail rotor system.   A Denver Zoo avian said they were down feathers but could not identify the bird species.

## Factual narrative

The pilot said the helicopter was in cruise flight at 7,800 feet msl (mean sea level), or approximately 300 to 400 feet above the ground, when it suddenly yawed and began vibrating.  After making a precautionary landing, the pilot inspected the helicopter and found two of the three tail rotor blades were bent, and the drive shaft was bent 24 degrees.  Feathers and bird remains were found in the tail rotor system.  A Denver Zoo avian said they were down feathers but could not identify the bird species.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N926JV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N926JV-2021-02-11), registration cancelled 2021-02-11, S/N 2268, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerospatiale SA315B
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale SA315B ALOUETTE III](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa315b-alouette-iii) (registry code 8680516) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARTOUSTEIIIB](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-artousteiiib) (registry code 60003, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2268
- Airframe hours: 10899
- Engines: Turbomeca Artouste IIIB 850 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Apex Helicopters, LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2007
- Departed: GJT, Grand Junction, CO
- Destination: DRO, Durango, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 17,300 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 17,100 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: GJT, 80 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 20070313002749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070313002749A), Mar 13, 2007: Aerosp SA315B, Norwood, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) A bird struck the tail rotor blades of the aircraft in cruise flight. No corrective action planned.

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.

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