# NTSB GAA18CA034: Airbus Helicopters EC 130, N22TZ, La Paloma, TX, October 26, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 26, 2017, 08:40 local (13:40 UTC) - Place: La Paloma, TX - Coordinates: 27.129999, -97.970001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1300&lon=-97.9700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96271 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96271/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96271 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA034 ## Probable cause The separation of a weight from the gunner’s net, which struck the helicopter’s main rotor blade during flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=1145302), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md) - [Physical workspace: positioning/available space](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041010): Environmental issues › Task environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041010/cases.md?model=1145302), [All aircraft, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1145302), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=1145302), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the public helicopter, he was conducting a wildlife antipredation flight and maneuvering at a low altitude with two net gunners located on the left and right in the aft cabin. The pilot reported that he entered a left bank to pursue a deer. The deer was located "between our 8 and 9 o'clock position, and the net gunner made the net shot at the deer." The pilot observed the net miss the deer and simultaneously heard an unusual "whooshing noise" coming from the helicopter. He made a precautionary landing, and during the shutdown, he noticed what he described as an unusual discoloration of the main rotor disc. Examination of the main rotor blades revealed that one of the blades had a large hole in it, about 5 ft from the blade tip. The net that was fired at the deer was recovered and was found to be missing one of the weights that are normally attached to the net's corners. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to a main rotor blade. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the public use helicopter, he was conducting a wildlife anti-depredation flight, and maneuvering at a low altitude with two net gunners located on the left and right in the aft cabin. The pilot reported that he entered a left bank in pursuit of a deer. The deer was located, "between our 8 and 9 o'clock position, and the net gunner made the net shot at the deer." The pilot observed the net miss the deer and simultaneously heard an unusual "whooshing noise" coming from the helicopter. He made a precautionary landing, and during the shutdown, he noticed what he described as an unusual discoloration of the main rotor disc. An examination of the main rotor blades showed that one of the blades had a large hole in it, about 5ft from the blade tip. The net that was fired at the deer was recovered and was found to be missing one of the weights that are normally attached to the corners of the net. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to a main rotor blade. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N22TZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N22TZ), registered now, S/N 8016, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS EC 130 (T2) - Registry model: [Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2](https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-helicopters-ec-130-t2) (registry code 1145302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-2D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-2d) (registry code 60080, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 8016 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 585.1 - Engines: Safran Helicopter Engines Arriel 2D 952 hp turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Air drop, Part 91 - Operator: Richardson Aviation - Registered owner: Kestrel Holdings LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Unknown, October 11, 2017 - Departed: Riviera, TX - Destination: Riviera, TX - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 20, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 8,411 total, 344 in this make and model, 8,243 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KNQI, 24 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 20171026020359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171026020359A), Oct 26, 2017: Airbus EC130, La Paloma, TX, Substantial damage. On October 26, 2017, at 8:40AM CST, an Airbus EC130 helicopter bearing registration number N22TZ, registered to kestrel holdings LLC, suffered rotor blade… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96271. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461492&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 216 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461493&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%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.