# NTSB GAA17CA344: Eurocopter EC130, N153GC, Peach Springs, AZ, May 25, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 25, 2017, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Peach Springs, AZ - Coordinates: 35.984722, -113.817222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9847&lon=-113.8172&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95387 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA344 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95387/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95387 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA344 ## Probable cause The ground crewman’s failure to hold onto the passenger door while the main rotor was still rotating, which resulted in the door separating from the helicopter and damaging the main rotor. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Ground crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter EC 130 B4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=8680989), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Doors: passenger/crew doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Eurocopter EC 130 B4, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?model=8680989), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter EC 130 B4, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=8680989), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the helicopter reported that, after fueling the helicopter with the engine running, the ground crewman opened the front passenger door on the opposite side from the pilot. Upon unlatching the door, the ground crewman released the door, and it was blown open. The door separated from the door strut and struck the main rotor, damaging the 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 helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the helicopter reported that, after fueling the helicopter with the engine running, the ground crewman opened the front passenger door on the opposite side from the pilot. Upon unlatching the door, the ground crewman released the door, and it was blown open. The door separated from the door strut, and struck the main rotor damaging the 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 helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N153GC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N153GC), registered now, S/N 7074, built 2010 (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: 7074 - Year built: 2010 - Engines: Turbomeca Arriel 2B1 turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: 1G4, Peach Springs, AZ - Airport: 1G4, Grand Canyon West - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 9, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,040 total, 1,220 in this make and model, 2,983 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 17 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.68 inHg - Observed at: KIGM, 44 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 20170525010999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170525010999A), May 25, 2017: Eurocopter EC 130 B4, Peach Springs, AZ, Substantial damage. 05/25/2017 At approximately 16:22, papillon helipad at 1G4: N153GC landed with air sick passenger/passengers. (According to witness statements) aircraft at… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95387. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 737 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454786&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of Manufacturer) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 324 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454787&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Manufacturer)-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.