# NTSB ERA12CA580: Sikorsky S-76C, N781P, Theodore, AL, September 24, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 24, 2012, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Theodore, AL - Coordinates: 30.43361, -88.176391 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4336&lon=-88.1764&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 4, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85154 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA580 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85154/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85154 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA580 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance while taxiing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=8143008), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=8143008), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8143008), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8143008), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=8143008), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a hover-taxi maneuver, the tail rotor made contact with the main rotor blade of a parked helicopter that was tied down. The taxiing helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor blades. The pilot did not report and postaccident examination did not reveal any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during a hover taxi maneuver, the tail rotor made contact with a main rotor blade of a parked helicopter that was tied down. The taxiing helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor blades. Examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N781P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N781P), registered now, S/N 760630, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-76C - Registry model: [Sikorsky S-76C](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-76c) (registry code 8143008) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-2S2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-2s2) (registry code 60036, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 760630 - Airframe hours: 7573 - Engines: 2S2 923 hp turbo shaft; Turbomeca 2S2 923 hp turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Phi Inc - Registered owner: Phi Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 22, 2012, 49 hours before - Departed: 2AL4, Bayou La Batre, AL - Destination: HUM, Houma, AL - Airport: 2AL4, Bayou La Batre ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Co-pilot; age 33; injuries: none; airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 2,195 total, 776 in this make and model, 1,386 as pilot in command, 137 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 31, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 5,208 total, 83 in this make and model, 3,888 as pilot in command, 134 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: BFM ## 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 20120924022099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120924022099A), Sep 24, 2012: Sikorsky S-76C, Theodore, AL, Substantial damage. While hovering backwards from lift off point and turning right the tail rotor blades went into a parked bell 206 helicopter main rotor blade ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 13, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85154. 707 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 549 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381608&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1-FAA photo- Tail rotor blades (item 2, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381597&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-FAA%20photo-%20Tail%20rotor%20blades-Master.PDF - Photo 2-FAA photo-Damage to horizontal stabilizer on stationary helicopter (item 3, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381599&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202-FAA%20photo-Damage%20to%20horizontal%20stabilizer%20on%20stationary%20helicopter-Master.PDF - PHI Accident-Incident Review (item 4, .PDF, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392309&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=PHI%20Accident-Incident%20Review-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.