# NTSB GAA17CA146: Kaman Aerospace K 1200, N675TH, Julian, CA, March 13, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 12, 2017, 17:00 local (Mar 13, 2017, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Julian, CA - Coordinates: 33.078609, -116.601943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0786&lon=-116.6019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94737 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94737/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94737 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA146 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to conduct a thru-flight walkaround inspection, which resulted in the engine cowling remaining open and subsequently separating from the helicopter and striking the main rotor blades and vertical stabilizer during departure. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Kaman Aerospace K-1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=13027LS), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Kaman Aerospace K-1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=13027LS), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) (defining event); cases with it: [Kaman Aerospace K-1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=13027LS), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the helicopter reported that he had landed and was going to reposition to another company landing zone after dropping off his crew chief. The pilot opened the engine cowling to allow the engine to cool before restart. However, the pilot did not perform a thru-flight walkaround inspection and climbed into the cockpit and took off. About 60 seconds after departure, he felt a large thump throughout the airframe and then landed as soon as practicable. Upon shutdown and inspection, he noticed that the engine cowling had departed the helicopter and struck the right two main rotor blades and the vertical stabilizer, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. In the recommendations section of the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot specified that the company has issued a policy that prohibits opening the engine cowling for the sole purpose of allowing the engine to cool. Additionally, the policy directed a pretakeoff helicopter inspection to be completed by a qualified technician. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the helicopter reported that he had landed and was going to reposition to another company landing zone after dropping of his crew chief. The pilot opened the engine cowling to allow the engine to cool before restart. However, the pilot did not perform a thru flight walk around and climbed in to the cockpit and took off. About sixty seconds after departure, he felt a large thump throughout the airframe and landed as soon as practicable. Upon shutdown and inspection, he noticed that the engine cowling had departed the helicopter and struck the right two main rotor blades and the vertical stabilizer. Substantial damage was sustained to the right main rotor blades and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In the recommendations section of the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot specified that the company has issued a policy that prohibits opening the engine cowling for the sole purpose of allowing the engine to cool. Additionally, the policy directed a pre-takeoff helicopter inspection to be completed by a qualified technician. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N675TH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N675TH), registered now, S/N A94-0025, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: KAMAN AEROSPACE CORP K 1200 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Kaman Aerospace K-1200](https://openairdocs.org/model/kaman-aerospace-k-1200) (registry code 13027LS) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Alliedsign T5317A-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/alliedsign-t5317a-1) (registry code 02501, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: A94-0025 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 9820.7 - Engines: Honeywell T5317-A1 1500 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Timberline Helicopters Inc - Registered owner: Timberline Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 28, 2017 - Departed: PVT, Julian, CA - Destination: PVT, Julian, CA - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Angle of attack indicator, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 15, 2015; seat: single; flight hours: 10,000 total, 4,760 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KRNM, 16 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 20170312002059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170312002059A), Mar 12, 2017: Kaman Aerospace Corp K-1200, Julian, CA, Substantial damage. After landing and engine shutdown the pilot- in- command slid open the engine cowling to allow the engine to cool down for a quicker turn time.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 29, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94737. 4.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455680&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of Operator) (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 287 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455681&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%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.