# NTSB ERA22LA334: Eurocopter AS365, N520CF, Hamilton, OH, July 26, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 26, 2022, 04:55 local (08:55 UTC) - Place: Hamilton, OH - Coordinates: 39.396795, -84.561443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3968&lon=-84.5614&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Airbus Helicopters, Bea Aero, FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105574 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA334 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105574/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105574 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA334 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to continue the landing without having visually identified wires that were known to be in the vicinity of the landing zone, which resulted in a collision with the wires while attempting an off-airport landing in dark night visual meteorological conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS365N3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=8680903), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS365N3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=8680903), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Eurocopter AS365N3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=8680903), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS365N3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=8680903), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting an air medical flight in the helicopter during early morning hours in dark night visual meteorological conditions. About 9 miles out from the intended landing zone, he contacted on-scene fire department personnel and asked for site information. The fire department personnel reported that there were high voltage power lines on the south side of the landing zone. The pilot made an approach and was looking out for the powerlines but could not locate the wires. He was wearing night vision goggles and could see the tower but not the wires. He also could not determine which way the wires were running off the tower. The pilot used the landing light and moved it up and down to try and find the wires but could not locate them. He thought the wires were farther out from the landing zone and not below the helicopter. However, as the helicopter descended for landing, the main rotor blades contacted the wires and the helicopter fell about 30 to 50 ft. All three crew members egressed after the pilot shut down the engines. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades, main rotor gearbox, and motor mounts; additionally, the left engine was hanging off the side of the helicopter. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 2022, at 0455 eastern daylight time, a Eurocopter AS365N3, N520CF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hamilton, Ohio. The pilot and two crew members sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 air medical flight. According to the pilot, he was dispatched to a car accident in Hamilton, Ohio. He checked the weather, approved the flight, and departed for the accident scene around 0428 in dark night visual meteorological conditions. About 9 miles out from the scene, he contacted on-scene fire department personnel, stated that he was a few minutes out, and asked for site information. The fire department personnel reported that there were high voltage power lines on the south side of the landing zone. As the pilot continued to the scene, he knew the winds were calm and, therefore, he orbited the scene from the south to the north. The pilot made an approach from the south and was looking out for the powerlines but could not locate the wires. The pilot stated that he did not think the wires would be in and around the landing zone. He stated that he was wearing night vision goggles and could see the tower but not the wires. Furthermore, he did not know which way the wires were running off the tower. The pilot used the landing light and moved it up and down to try and find the wires but could not locate them. He thought the wires were further out from the landing zone and not below the helicopter. As the helicopter descended, the main rotor blades contacted the wires and the helicopter fell about 30 to 50 ft. All three crew members egressed after the pilot shut down the engines. Postaccident examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the helicopter struck the high voltage wires, severing one wire, and then landed hard. Portions of each main rotor blade were separated near their mid-span, and the main rotor gearbox and mounts were fractured. The left engine was hanging off the engine motor mounts. The helicopter came to rest on its left side with. The stabilizer was bent and substantially damaged, and the landing gear were impact damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N520CF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N520CF-2024-07-27), registration cancelled 2024-07-27, S/N 6537, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS365 (N3) - Registry model: [Eurocopter AS365N3](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as365n3) (registry code 8680903) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-2C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-2c) (registry code 60054, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 6537 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 6390 - Engines: Turbomeca Arriel 2C 712 hp turbo shaft; Turbomeca Arriel 2C 712 hp turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 135 - Operator: Air Methods Corp - Registered owner: Miami Valley Hospital - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, July 25, 2022 - Departed: I68, Lebanon, OH - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 17, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 4,336 total, 620 in this make and model, 2,075 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: HAO, 3 nm away - METAR: KHAO 260853Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 20/18 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP162 T02000183 58004 ## 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 20220726020089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220726020089A), Jul 26, 2022: Eurocopter AS365N3, Hamilton, OH, Destroyed. On 7/26/2022 at 0435, [privacy data omitted] Eurocopter AS365N3, while responding to an ems/haa call, the pilot struck high tension wires during approach to… ## Other investigations on N520CF (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 CEN10IA372](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10IA372), Jul 4, 2010: Eurocopter AS365N3 (N520CF), Dayton, OH, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: The unintentional movement of the jettison handle in-flight due to the pilot’s dropping of a manual that impacted the handle and released the door window, which then impacted the horizontal… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 7, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105574. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14788128&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14788309&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-pilot-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14788071&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandom-FAA%20statment-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 242 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14788053&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=investigative%20Photo%27s-Rel.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.