# NTSB GAA19CA252: Aerospatiale AS350, Coldfoot, AK, March 31, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 31, 2019, 14:59 local (22:59 UTC) - Place: Coldfoot, AK - Coordinates: 67.21389, -149.810562 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2139&lon=-149.8106&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 November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99395 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA252 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99395/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99395 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA252 ## Probable cause The gunner’s improper net gun firing, which resulted in a net weight impacting the rotor blades. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/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: [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The chief pilot reported that the helicopter pilot told him that, while attempting to net a calf during a caribou capture flight, he got within shooting range for the net gun, but the calf suddenly "broke right." He then turned the helicopter to follow the calf, and while turning, the pilot thought the shot would not be possible and that he should set up for another run, but the gunner fired. The pilot heard a "bang," followed by a strong vibration. The pilot landed the helicopter without further incident. The pilot reported that postaccident examination revealed that one of the main rotor blades had sustained substantial damage, which he assumed was from a net weight. The chief pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The chief pilot reported that the helicopter pilot reported that, during a caribou capture flight, while attempting to net a calf, he got within shooting range for the net gun but the calf suddenly "broke right" and he turned to follow. While turning, the pilot thought the shot would not be possible and that he should set up for another run, but the gunner fired. The pilot heard a "bang", followed by a strong vibration. The pilot landed the helicopter without further incident. Postaccident, the pilot examined the main rotor blades and observed substantial damage to one of main rotor blades, which he assumed was from a net weight. The chief pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: C-GTNV (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Aerospatiale AS350 (B) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1655 - Year built: 1982 - Airframe hours: 11784.8 - Engines: Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 732 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Trans North Turbo Air Limited - Registered owner: Trans North Turbo Air Limited - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 2019 - Departed: CXF, Coldfoot, AK - Destination: CXF, Coldfoot, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, foreign; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 19, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 10,866 total, 3,964 in this make and model, 9,880 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 14 °F ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99395. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473661&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.