# NTSB GAA17CA167: Eurocopter EC130, N864MH, Las Vegas, NV, February 26, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 26, 2017, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Las Vegas, NV - Coordinates: 36.080001, -115.152221 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0800&lon=-115.1522&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 7, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94802 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA167 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94802/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94802 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA167 ## Probable cause The pilot's abrupt cyclic/pitch attitude control movement, which resulted in a Fenestron ground strike. ## 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 EC 130 B4, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8680989), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter EC 130 B4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=8680989), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Eurocopter EC 130 B4, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=8680989), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter EC 130 B4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=8680989), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Eurocopter EC 130 B4, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8680989), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the helicopter reported that, during the hover-taxi for departure in the ramp area, he was monitoring another helicopter that had just departed and then "brought [his] eyes inside [the helicopter]" to switch a radio frequency. As the pilot looked back outside, he observed "the nose of a big plane taxiing" from behind another parked airplane to his left. Subsequently, the pilot abruptly applied aft cyclic to stop the helicopter's forward momentum, and the Fenestron struck the ramp. The pilot returned to the ramp area without further incident. The Fenestron sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the helicopter reported that during the hover taxi for departure in the ramp area, he was monitoring another helicopter that had just departed and then "brought [his] eyes inside [the helicopter]" to switch a radio frequency. As the pilot looked back outside, he observed "the nose of a big plane taxiing" from behind another parked airplane to his left. Subsequently, the pilot abruptly applied aft cyclic to stop the helicopter's forward momentum and the Fenestron struck the ramp. The pilot returned to the ramp area without further incident. The Fenestron sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N864MH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N864MH), registered now, S/N 4616, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER EC130 (B4) - Registry model: [Eurocopter EC 130 B4](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-ec-130-b4) (registry code 8680989) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-2B1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-2b1) (registry code 60056, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 4616 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 9339 - Engines: Turbomeca ARRIEL 2B1 747 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Maverick Helicopters Inc. - Registered owner: Maverick Helicopters Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 14, 2017 - Departed: LAS, Las Vegas, NV - Destination: LAS, Las Vegas, NV - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: LAS, Mc Carran Intl - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 23, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,039 total, 1,962 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 11 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: KLAS ## 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 20170226004329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170226004329A), Feb 26, 2017: Eurocopter EC 130 B4, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. Hover taxiing north bound in between taxiway h and the access road at mccarran international airport, Las Vegas. Monitoring taxi speed and height to stay… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 3, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94802. 2.5 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=40451681&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 198 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451682&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451683&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.