# NTSB GAA17CA135: Hughes OH 6A, N6640Z, Price, UT, February 8, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 8, 2017, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Price, UT - Coordinates: 39.408889, -110.435554 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4089&lon=-110.4356&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 4, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94704 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94704/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94704 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA135 ## Probable cause The fuel truck driver’s failure to stop before impacting the helicopter’s main rotor blades. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Knowledge: knowledge of procedures](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Flight service personnel; cases with it: [Hughes OH-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032010/cases.md?model=4470905), [All aircraft, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032010/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Flight service personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes OH-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=4470905), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes OH-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=4470905), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/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: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes OH-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=4470905), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that, after landing to refuel, he reduced power to flight idle and initiated a 2-minute cooldown before shutting off the engine. One minute into the cooldown, the fuel truck approached the helicopter from the rear and struck the main rotor blades. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot reported that after landing to refuel, he reduced power to flight idle and initiated a 2-minute cool down prior to shutting off the engine. He further reported that one minute into the cool down, the fuel truck approached the helicopter from the rear and struck the main rotor blades. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6640Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6640Z), registered now, S/N 66-16076 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES OH 6A (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Hughes OH-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-oh-6a) (registry code 4470905) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 66-16076 - Year built: 1970 - Airframe hours: 12701.2 - Engines: Rolls Royce 250-C20B 460 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft - federal, Public use - Operator: Usda Aphis Ws Atoc - Registered owner: Usda Aphis Ws Atoc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 2, 2017 - Departed: PUC, PRICE, UT - Destination: East Carbon, UT - Flight plan: Unknown - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 10, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,350 total, 2,315 in this make and model, 4,110 as pilot in command - Other flight crew; age 58; injuries: none; medical: unknown; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KPUC, 19 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 8, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94704. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449769&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449770&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.