# NTSB GAA16CA318: Eurocopter EC120, N372HS, Ajo, AZ, June 13, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 13, 2016, 11:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Ajo, AZ - Coordinates: 32.129165, -113.485832 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1292&lon=-113.4858&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 12, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Department of Homeland Security, FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93390 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA318 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93390/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93390 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA318 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to exit the helicopter with the engine and rotors turning and the selection of unsuitable terrain for a landing, which resulted in a roll over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter EC120B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8680987), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter EC120B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=8680987), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter EC120B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=8680987), [All aircraft, 3,100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter EC120B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=8680987), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter EC120B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8680987), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a skid equipped helicopter reported that after landing on a volcanic rock hill top, the pilot exited the running helicopter. The pilot further reported that he heard an audible change in the sound of the main rotor and observed the ground under the right skid of the helicopter give way and the helicopter rolled to the right. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has published FAA-H-8083-21A Helicopter Flying Handbook (2012). This handbook discusses pilots at the flight controls and states in part: "Many helicopter operators have been lured into a "quick turnaround" ground operation to avoid delays at airport terminals and to minimize stop/start cycles of the engine. As part of this quick turn-around, the pilot might leave the cockpit with the engine and rotors turning. Such an operation can be extremely hazardous if a gust of wind disturbs the rotor disk, or the collective flight control moves causing lift to be generated by the rotor system. Either occurrence may cause the helicopter to roll or pitch, resulting in a rotor blade striking the tail boom or the ground. Good operating procedures dictate that, generally, pilots remain at the flight controls whenever the engine is running and the rotors are turning". ## Factual narrative The pilot of a skid equipped helicopter reported that after landing on a volcanic rock hill top, the pilot exited the running helicopter. The pilot further reported that he heard an audible change in the sound of the main rotor and observed the ground under the right skid of the helicopter give way and the helicopter rolled to the right. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has published FAA-H-8083-21A Helicopter Flying Handbook (2012). This handbook discusses pilots at the flight controls and states in part: "Many helicopter operators have been lured into a "quick turnaround" ground operation to avoid delays at airport terminals and to minimize stop/start cycles of the engine. As part of this quick turn-around, the pilot might leave the cockpit with the engine and rotors turning. Such an operation can be extremely hazardous if a gust of wind disturbs the rotor disk, or the collective flight control moves causing lift to be generated by the rotor system. Either occurrence may cause the helicopter to roll or pitch, resulting in a rotor blade striking the tail boom or the ground. Good operating procedures dictate that, generally, pilots remain at the flight controls whenever the engine is running and the rotors are turning". ## Aircraft - Registration: [N372HS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N372HS), registered now, S/N 1460, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER EC120 (B) - Registry model: [Eurocopter EC120B](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-ec120b) (registry code 8680987) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIUS-2F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arrius-2f) (registry code 60010, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1460 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 3563 - Engines: Turbomecca Arrius 2F 431 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft - federal, Public use - Operator: Department Of Homeland Security - Registered owner: Department Of Homeland Security - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 6, 2016 - Departed: NYL, YUMA, AZ - Destination: Ajo, AZ - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 7,184 total, 1,156 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KNYL, 64 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 20160613010319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160613010319A), Jun 13, 2016: Eurocopter EC120B, Ajo, AZ, Substantial damage. During cbp us government law enforcement activity (patrol), the pilot landed on a ridge to investigate a possible suspect device. After he exited the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 29, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93390. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443873&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Party Form CBP (item 2, .PDF, 230 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443874&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Party%20Form%20CBP-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of Operator) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 385 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443875&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.