# NTSB ERA14CA009: Eurocopter AS 350 B2, N911ES, Madison, MS, October 20, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 20, 2013, 11:08 local (16:08 UTC) - Place: Madison, MS - Coordinates: 32.570556, -90.158607 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5706&lon=-90.1586&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report December 19, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 88249 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88249/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88249 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA009 ## Probable cause The helicopter's collision with a black vulture during climb to cruise altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Windows-windshield system: flight compartment windows](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md?model=8680950), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md) - [Fuselage: fuselage main structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035310): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035310/cases.md?model=8680950), [All aircraft, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035310/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=8680950), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=8680950), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was climbing the helicopter through 1,300 feet when he felt an "explosion" in his face that knocked his visor up and affected both his visibility and crew communications. The pilot was eventually able to get his visor back down and land the helicopter, where it was discovered that both windshields were blown out, the center post and the cabin shell were damaged, the doors were blown open and onboard medical equipment was missing. On the ground, a crewmember stated that just before the event, he had seen a black bird fly toward the helicopter from above and left, but did not have enough time to call it out. Analysis of onboard residual bird feathers and a photograph of the suspect bird carcass indicated that it was a black vulture, which can weigh up to 4.8 pounds. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he was climbing the helicopter through 1,300 feet when he felt an "explosion" in his face that knocked his visor up and affected both his visibility and crew communications. The pilot was eventually able to get his visor back down and land the helicopter, where it was discovered that both windshields were blown out, the center post and the cabin shell were damaged, the doors were blown open and onboard medical equipment was missing. On the ground, a crewmember stated that just before the event, he had seen a black bird fly toward the helicopter from above and left, but did not have enough time to call it out. Analysis of onboard residual bird feathers and a photograph of the suspect bird carcass indicated that it was a black vulture, which can weigh up to 4.8 pounds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N911ES](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N911ES-2022-11-01), registration cancelled 2022-11-01, S/N 2665, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2 (B2) - Registry model: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b2) (registry code 8680950) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1ser) (registry code 60030, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2665 - Year built: 1992 - Airframe hours: 8374 - Engines: Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 732 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Metro Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Metro Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, October 18, 2013 - Departed: 4MS6, Jackson, MS - Destination: 5A6, Winona, MS - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 27, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 3,200 total, 770 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KJAN, 19 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 20131020020489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131020020489A), Oct 20, 2013: Eurocopter AS 350 B2, Canton, MS, Substantial damage. The pilot stated he was in cruise at level flight and suffered a bird strike. He made an emergency landing. ## Other investigations on N911ES (1) 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. - [NTSB DFW06CA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA062), Jan 26, 2006: Eurocopter France AS-350-B2 (N911ES), Port Isabel, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM and his improper touchdown during a simulated hovering autorotation. A contributing factor was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 27, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88249. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403698&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Smithsonian Bird Analysis (item 2, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403717&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Smithsonian%20Bird%20Analysis-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Helicopter Damage (Courtesy of Operator) (item 3, .PDF, 301 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403701&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Helicopter%20Damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Helicopter Damage (Courtesy of Operator) (item 4, .PDF, 293 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403702&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Helicopter%20Damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Suspect Bird (Courtesy of Operator) (item 5, .PDF, 333 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403704&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Suspect%20Bird%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-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.